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THE DORRANCE DOMAIN 





“DOROTHY TORE OPEN THE LETTER AND BEGAN TO READ IT" 


The Dorrance Domain 

A Story 


BY 

CAROLYN WELLS 

Author of Patty at Home,*' “ The Pete and Polly Stories," etc. 


Illustrated by 

WILLIAM F. STECHER 



W. A. WILDE COMPANY 

BOSTON CHICAGO 




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Copyright, igos* 

By W. a. Wilde Company, 

Jll rights reserved. 


The Dorrance Domain. 


Contents 


CHAPTER PAGE 


I. 

Cooped Up 





9 

11. 

Rebellious Hearts 





22 

III. 

Dorothy’s Plan 





35 

IV. 

The Departure 





48 

V. 

The Mamie Mead 





60 

VI. 

The Dorrance Domain 





73 

VII. 

Mr. Hickox 





86 

VIII. 

Mrs. Hickox 





99 

IX. 

The Floating Bridge 





1 12 

X. 

The Hickoxes at Home 





1 24 

XI. 

Six Invitations . 





137 

XII. 

Guests for All 





149 

XIII. 

An Unwelcome Letter 





161 

XIV. 

Financial Plans 





*74 

XV. 

A Sudden Determination 





188 

XVI. 

A Daring Scheme 





201 

XVII. 

Registered Guests 





214 

XVIII. 

Ambitions 





226 

XIX. 

The Van Arsdale Ladies 





239 

XX. 

A Real Hotel . 





252 

XXI. 

Ups and Downs 





265 

XXII. 

Two Boys and a Boat 





278 

XXIII. 

An Unwelcome Proposition 




290 

XXIV. 

Dorothy’s Reward . 

. 




307 





ILLUSTRATIONS 


“Dorothy tore open the letter and began to 

READ it” Frontispiece 

“Dorothy led her big dog ” 

“ ‘ I’ve seen it all, thank you,’ she said ” . . 

“Dorothy sat on the front veranda, day- 
dreaming ” 

“ The roof garden ” 


PAGE 

y 

37 

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The Dorrance Domain 


CHAPTER I 

COOPED UP 

T WISH we didnT have to live in a board- 
I ing-house ! ” said Dorothy Dorrance, 
flinging herself into an armchair, in 
her grandmother’s room, one May afternoon, 
about six o’clock. 

She made this remark almost every after- 
noon, about six o’clock, whatever the month 
or the season, and as a rule, little attention 
was paid to it. But to-day her sister Lilian 
responded, in a sympathetic voice, 

“ I wish we didn’t have to live in a board- 
ing-house ! ” 

Whereupon Leicester, Lilian’s twin brother, 
mimicking his sister’s tones, dolefull} re- 
peated, I wish we didn’t have to live in a 
boarding-house ! ” ^ 


9 


10 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

And then Fairy, the youngest Dorrance, 
and the last of the quartet, sighed forlornly, 
“ I wish we didn't have to live in a hoarding- 
house ! ” 

There was another occupant of the room. 
A gentle white-haired old lady, whose sweet 
face and dainty fragile figure had all the 
effects of an ivory miniature, or a painting 
on porcelain. 

“ My dears," she said, “ I'm sure I wish 
you didn't." 

Don't look like that, granny mother," 
cried Dorothy, springing to kiss the troubled 
face of the dear old lady. “I'd live here a 
million years, rather than have you look so 
worried about it. And anyway, it wouldn't 
be so bad, if it weren't for the dinners." 

“ I don't mind the dinners," said Leicester, 
“ in fact I would be rather sorry not to have 
them. What I mind is the cramped space, 
and the shutrup-in-your-own-room feeling. I 
spoke a pi^e in school last week, and I spoke 
it awful well, too, because I just meant it. 
It began, ^I want free life, and I want fresh 
air,' and that's exactly what I do want. I 


COOPED UP 


11 


wish we lived in Texas, instead of on Man- 
hattan Island. Texas has a great deal more 
room to the square yard, and I don’t believe 
people are crowded down there.” 

“ There can’t be more room to a square 
yard in one place than another,” said Lilian, 
who was practical. 

“ I mean back yards and front yards and 
side yards, — and I don’t care whether they’re 
square or not,” went on Leicester, warming 
to his subject. My air-castle is situated 
right in the middle of the state of Texas, 
and it’s the only house in the state.” 

“ Mine is in the middle of a desert island,” 
said Lilian ; “ it’s so much nicer to feel sure 
that you can get to the water, no matter in 
what direction you walk away from your 
house.” 

“ A desert island would be nice,” said 
Leicester; *‘it would be more exciting than 
Texas, I suppose, on account of the wild ani- 
mals. But then in Texas, there are wild men 
and wild animals both.” 

I like plenty of room, too,” said Dorothy, 
but I want it inside my house as well as 


12 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


out. Since we are choosing, I think I’ll 
choose to live in the Madison Square Garden, 
and I’ll have it moved to the middle of a 
western prairie.” 

“ Well, children,” said Mrs. Dorrance, 
“ your ideas are certainly big enough, but you 
must leave the discussion of them now, and 
go to your small cramped boarding-house 
bedrooms, and make yourselves presentable 
to go down to your dinner in a boarding-house 
dining-room.” 

This suggestion was carried out in the vari- 
ous ways that were characteristic of the Dor- 
rance children. 

Dorothy, who was sixteen, rose from her 
chair and humming a waltz tune, danced 
slowly and gracefully across the room. The 
twins, Lilian and Leicester, fell off of the 
arms of the sofa, where they had been 
perched, scrambled up again, executed a sort 
of war-dance and then dashed madly out of 
the door and down the hall. 

Fairy, the twelve year old, who lived up 
to her name in all respects, flew around the 
room, waving her arms, and singing in a high 


COOPED UP 


13 


soprano, Can I wear my pink sash? Can I 
wear my pink sash ? ’’ 

“ Yes, yes,’^ said Mrs. Dorrance, you may 
wear anything you like, if youdl only keep 
still a minute. You children are too boister- 
ous for a boarding-house. You ought to be in 
the middle of a desert or somewhere. You 
bewilder me ! 

But about fifteen minutes later it was four 
decorous young Dorrances who accompanied 
their grandmother to the dining-room. Not 
that they wanted to be sedate, or enjoyed be- 
ing quiet, but they were well-bred children 
in spite of their rollicking temperaments. 
They knew perfectly well how to behave 
properly, and always did it when the occasion 
demanded. 

And, too, the atmosphere of Mrs. Cooper’s 
dining-room was an assistance rather than a 
bar to the repression of hilarity. 

The Dorrances sat at a long table, two of 
the children on either side of their grand- 
mother, and this arrangement was one of 
their chief grievances. 

If we could only have a table to our- 


14 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

selves/’ Leicester often said, “ it wouldn’t be 
so bad. But set up side by side, like the teeth 
in a comb, cheerful conversation is impos- 
sible.” 

But, my boy,” his grandmother would re- 
monstrate, “ you must learn to converse pleas- 
antly with those who sit opposite you. You 
can talk with your sisters at other times.” 

So Leicester tried, but it is exceedingly 
difficult for a fourteen year old boy to adapt 
himself to the requirements of polite conver- 
sation. 

On the evening of which we are speaking, 
his efforts, though well meant, were unusu- 
ally unsuccessful. 

Exactly opposite Leicester sat Mr. Bannis- 
ter, a ponderous gentleman, both physically 
and mentally. He was a bachelor, and his 
only idea regarding children was that they 
should be treated jocosely. He also had his 
own ideas of jocose treatment. 

Well, my little man,” he said, smiling 
broadly at Leicester, “did you go to school 
to-day ? ” 

As he asked this question every night at 


COOPED UP 


15 


dinner, not even excepting Saturdays and 
Sundays, Leicester felt justified in answering 
only, Yes, sir/’ 

‘‘ That’s nice ; and what did you learn ? ” 
As this question invariably followed the 
other, Leicester was not wholly unprepared 
for it. But the discussion of air-castles in 
Texas, or on a prairie, had made the boy a 
little impatient of the narrow dining-room, 
and the narrow table, and even of Mr. Ban- 
nister, though he was by no means of narrow 
build. 

I learned my lessons,” he replied shortly, 
though there was no rudeness in his tone. 

Tut, tut, my little man,” said Mr. Bannis- 
ter, playfully shaking a fat finger at him, 
don’t be rude.” 

No, sir, I won’t,” said Leicester, with such 
an innocent air of accepting a general bit of 
good advice, that Mr. Bannister was quite 
discomfited. 

Grandma Dorrance looked at Leicester re- 
proachfully, and Mrs. Hill, who was a sharp- 
featured, sharp-spoken old lady, and who 
also sat on the other side of the table, said 


16 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

severely, to nobody in particular, Children 
are not brought up now as they were in my 
day.’^ 

This had the effect of silencing Leicester, 
for the three older Dorrances had long ago 
decided that it was useless to try to talk to 
Mrs. Hill. Even if you tried your best to be 
nice and pleasant, she was sure to say some- 
thing so irritating, that you just had to lose 
your temper. 

But Fairy did not subscribe to this general 
decision. Indeed, Fairy’s chief characteristic 
was her irrepressible loquacity. So much 
trouble had this made, that she had several 
times been forbidden to talk at the dinner- 
table at all. Then Grandma Dorrance would 
feel sorry for the dolefully mute little girl, 
and would lift the ban, restricting her, how- 
ever, to not more than six ^^peeches during 
any one meal. 

Fairy kept strict account, and never ex- 
ceeded the allotted number, but she made 
each speech as long as she possibly could, and 
rarely stopped until positively interrupted. 

So she took it upon herself to respond to 


COOPED UP 


17 


Mrs. Hill’s remark, and at the same time 
demonstrate her loyalty to her grandmother. 

“ I’m sure, Mrs. Hill,” Fairy began, “ that 
nobody could bring up children better than 
my grannymother. She is the best children 
bring-upper in the whole world. I don’t 
know how your grandmother brought you up, 
— or perhaps you had a mother, — some peo- 
ple think they’re better than grandmothers. 
I don’t know ; I never had a mother, only 
a grandmother, but she’s just the best ever, 
and if us children aren’t good, it’s our fault 
and not hers. She says we’re boist’rous, and 
I ’spect we are. Mr. Bannister says we’re 
rude, and I ’spect we are ; but none of these 
objectionaries is grandma’s fault ! ” Fairy 
had a way of using long words when she be- 
came excited, and as she knew very few real 
ones she often made them up to suit herself. 
And all her words, long or short came out 
in such a torrent of enthusiasm and emphasis, 
and with such a degree of rapidity that it was 
a difficult matter to stop her. So on she went. 

So it’s all right, Mrs. Hill, but when we 
don’t behave just first-rate, or just as children 


C j 


18 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


did in your day, please keep a-remembering 
to blame us and not grandma. You see,’^ and 
here Fairy’s speech assumed a confidential 
tone, “ we don’t have room enough. We 
want free life and we want fresh air, and 
then I ’spect we’d be more decorious.” 

“ That will do. Fairy,” said Mrs. Dorrance, 
looking at her gravely. 

“Yes’m,” said Fairy, smiling pleasantly, 
“ that’ll do for one.” 

And that makes two ! now you’ve had 
two speeches. Fairy,” said her brother, teas- 
ingly. 

“ I have not,” said Fairy, and an explana- 
tionary speech doesn’t count I ” 

Yes, it does,” cried Lilian, “ and that 
makes three ! ” 

It doesn’t, does it, grandma?” pleaded 
Fairy, lifting her big blue eyes to her grand- 
mother’s face. 

Mrs. Dorrance looked helpless and a little 
bewildered, but she only said, Please be 
quiet. Fairy ; I might like to talk a little, 
myself.” 

Oh, that’s all right, grandma dear,” said 


COOPED UP 


19 


Fairy, placidly ; ‘‘ I know how it is to feel 
conversationary myself.’^ 

The children's mother had died when Fairy 
was born, and her father had given her the 
name of Fairfax because there had always 
been a Fairfax Dorrance in his family for 
many generations. To be sure it had always 
before been a boy baby who was christened 
Fairfax, but the only boy in this family had 
been named Leicester ; and so, one Fairfax 
Dorrance was a girl. From the time she was 
old enough to show any characteristics at all, 
she had been fairy-like in every possible way. 
Golden hair, big blue eyes and a cherub face 
made her a perfect picture of child beauty. 
Then she was so light and airy, so quick of 
motion and speech, and so immaculately 
dainty in her dress and person, that Fairy 
seemed to be the only fitting name for her. 
No matter how much she played rollicking 
games, her frock never became rumpled or 
soiled ; and the big white bow which crowned 
her mass of golden curls always kept its shape 
and position even though its wearer turned 
somersaults. For Fairy was by no means a 


20 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


quiet or sedate child. None of the Dorrances 
were that. And the youngest was perhaps 
the most headstrong and difficult to control. 
But though impetuous in her deeds and mis- 
deeds, her good impulses were equally sudden, 
and she was always ready to apologize or 
make amends for her frequent naughtiness. 

And so after dinner, she went to Mrs. Hill, 
and said with a most engaging smile, “ I’m 
sorry if I ’fended you, and I hope I didn’t. 
You see I didn’t mean to speak so much, and 
right at the dinner table, too, but I just have 
to stand up for my grannymother. She’s so 
old, and so ladylike that she can’t stand up 
for herself. And I was ’fraid you mightn’t 
understand, so I thought I’d ’pologize. Is it 
all right?” 

Fairy looked up into Mrs. Hill’s face with 
such angelic eyes and pleading smile, that 
even that dignified lady unbent a little. 

Yes, my dear,” she said ; it’s all right for 
you to stand up for your grandmother, as you 
express it. But you certainly do talk too 
much for such a little girl.” 

“ Yes’m,” said Fairy, contritely, I know I 


COOPED UP 


21 


do. It’s my upsetting sin; but somehow I 
can’t help it. My head seems to be full of 
words, and they just keep spilling out. Don’t 
you ever talk too much, ma’am ? ” 

No ; I don’t think I do.” 

** You ought to very thankful,” said Fairy, 
with a sigh ; it is an awful affliction. Why 

once upon a time ” 

“ Come, Fairy,” said Mrs. Dorrance ; “ say 
good-night to Mrs. Hill, and come up-stairs 
with me.” 

“ Yes, grandma. I’m coming. Good-night, 
Mrs. Hill ; I’m sorry I have to go just now 
’cause I was just going to tell you an awful 

exciting story. But perhaps to-morrow ” 

“ Come, Fairy,” said Mrs. Dorrance ; come 
at oijce I ” And at last the gentle old lady 
succeeded in capturing her refractory grand- 
daughter, and led the dancing sprite away to 
her own room. 


CHAPTEE II 


KEBELLIOUS HEARTS 

A lthough Mrs. Cooper’s boarders 
were privileged to sit in the parlor 
in the evening, the Dorrances rarely 
availed themselves of this permission. For 
the atmosphere of the formal and over-punc- 
tilious drawing-room was even more depress- 
ing than that of the dining-room. And even 
had the children wanted to stay, there, which 
they didn’t, Mrs. Dorrance would have been 
afraid that their irrepressible gayety would 
have been too freely exhibited. And another 
thing, they had to study their next day’s 
lessons, for their hours between school and 
dinner-time were always spent out of doors. 

And so every evening they congregated in 
their grandmother’s room, and were studious 
or frivolous as their mood dictated. 

To-night they were especially fractious. 
Grannymother,” exclaimed Lilian, it 
22 


EEBELLIOUS HEAKTS 


23 


just seems as if I couldn't live in this house 
another minute ! there is nobody here I like, 
except our own selves, and I just hate it all ! 

Did you go to school to-day, my little 
man ? ’’ said Leicester, shaking his finger in 
such funny imitation of Mr. Bannister, that 
Lilian had to laugh, in spite of her discon- 
tentment. 

“ I’m so tired of him, too,” went on Lilian, 
still scowling. Can’t we go and live some- 
where else, grandmother ? ” 

Mrs. Dorrance sighed. She knew only too 
well the difficulty of securing desirable rooms 
in a desirable locality with her four lively 
young charges ; and especially at the modest 
price she was able to pay. Already they had 
moved six times in their two years of board- 
ing-house life, and Mrs. Dorrance dreaded the 
thought of a seventh similar experience. 

Lilian, dear,” she said, gently, you know 
how hard it is to find any nice boarding-house 
where they will take four noisy children. 
And I’m sure, in many respects, this is the 
best one we’ve ever found.” 

I suppose it is,” said Dorothy, looking up 


24 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


from the French lesson she was studying, 
but I know one thing ! as soon as I get 
through school, and I don’t mean to go many 
years more, we’re going to get away from 
boarding-houses entirely, and we’re going to 
have a home of our own. I don’t suppose 
it can be in Texas, or the Desert of Sahara, 
but we’ll have a house or an apartment or 
something, and live by ourselves.” 

“ I wish you might do so,” said her grand- 
mother, ^‘but I fear we cannot afford it. And, 
too, I think I would not be able to attend to 
the housekeeping. When we used to have 
plenty of servants, it was quite a different 
matter.” 

“ But granny, dear,” cried Dorothy, “ I 
don’t mean for you to housekeep. I mean 
to do that myself. After I get through 
school, you know. I’ll have nothing to do, 
and I can just as well keep house as not.” 

Do you know how ? ” asked Fairy, staring 
at her oldest sister with wide-open blue eyes. 

Can you make a cherry pie?” sang 
Leicester. “ I don’t believe you can. Dot ; 
and I’ll tell you a better plan than yours. 


EEBELLIOUS HEAETS 


25 


You wait until I get out of school, and then 
Vll go into some business, and earn enough 
money to buy a big house for all of us.’^ 

Like the one in Fifty-eighth Street? said 
Dorothy, softly. 

The children always lowered their voices 
when they spoke of the house on Fifty-eighth 
Street. Two years ago, when their grand- 
father died, they had to move out of that 
beautiful home, and none of them, not even 
little Fairy, could yet speak of it in a casual 
way. 

The children’s father had died only a few 
years after their mother, and the four had 
been left without any provision other than 
that offered by their Grandfather Dorrance. 
He took them into his home on Fifty-eighth 
Street, and being a man of ample means, he 
brought them up in a generous, lavish way. 
The little Dorrances led a happy life, free 
from care or bothers of any sort, until when 
Dorothy was fourteen. Grandfather Dorrance 
died. 

His wife knew nothing of his business 
affairs, and placidly supposed there was no 


26 


THE DOnHANCE DOMAIN 


reason why she should not continue to live 
with the children, in the ways to which they 
had so long been accustomed. 

But all too soon she learned that years of 
expensive living had made decided inroads 
upon Mr. Dorrance’s fortune, and that for the 
future her means would be sadly limited. 

Mrs. Dorrance was a frail old lady, entirely 
unused to responsibilities of any kind ; her 
husband had always carefully shielded her 
from all troubles or annoyances, and now, 
aside from her deep grief at his death, she 
was forced suddenly to face her changed cir- 
’cumstances and the responsibility of her four 
grandchildren. 

She was crushed and bewildered by the 
situation, and had it not been for the advice 
and kind assistance of her lawyer, Mr. Lloyd, 
she would not have known which way to 
turn. 

Dorothy, too, though only fourteen years 
old, proved to be a staunch little helper. 
She was brave and plucky, and showed a 
courage and capability that astonished all 
who knew her. 


EEBELLIOUS HEARTS 


27 


After Mr. Dorrance’s affairs were settled up, 
it was discovered that the family could not 
remain in the home. Although the house 
was free of incumbrance, yet there was no 
money with which to pay taxes, or to pay the 
household expenses, even if they lived on a 
more moderate scale. Only a few years before 
his death, Mr. Dorrance had invested a large 
sum of money in a summer hotel property. 
This had not turned out advantageously, and 
though Mrs. Dorrance could not understand 
all of the business details, she finally became 
aware that she had but a net income of two 
thousand dollars to support herself and her 
grandchildren. 

Helpless and heart-broken as she was, she 
yet had a certain amount of indomitable 
pride, which though it might break, would 
never bend. 

In her quiet, gentle way she accepted the 
situation, and endeavored to find a suitable 
boarding-place that would come within her 
means. The big house had been rented to 
strangers, as Mr. Lloyd considered that a 
better investment than selling it. The furni- 


28 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


ture had been sold, except a few choice per- 
sonal belongings which had been stored away 
against better days. 

With a cheerful placidity, which was but 
the reaction of her utter helplessness, Mrs. 
Dorrance began her new life. 

The children took the change more easily. 
Although they fretted and stormed more, yet 
that very fact gave a sort of outlet to their 
disappointment, and, too, their youth allowed 
them to adapt themselves more easily to the 
changed conditions. 

And had it been possible for them to have 
a home of their own, they would perhaps have 
been as happy as in their grandfather’s mansion. 

But Mrs. Dorrance well knew her own 
limitations, and realized that at her age she 
could not take up the unaccustomed cares of 
housekeeping. 

And so they boarded ; and it was unsatis- 
factory to all concerned ; principally because 
children do not agree with boarding-houses 
and vice versa. 

“ Well, there is one thing to look forward 


EEBELLIOUS HEAETS 


29 


to/^ said Dorothy, in her cheerful way ; it’s 
the first of May now. In a month, school 
will be over for this term, and then we can go 
to the seashore or the country, and get away 
from Mrs. Cooper’s for the summer, anyhow.” 

Yes,” exclaimed Lilian, won’t it be fun I 
I vote for the country this year. What do 
you say, Leicester ? ” 

The twins, though possessing strong in- 
dividual opinions, usually referred all ques- 
tions to each other, though this by no means 
implied a change of mind on the part of 
either. 

‘‘ Country’s all right,” said Leicester, but I 
like mountains. Mountainous country, you 
know ; I don’t mean Pike’s Peak or Mount 
Washington.” 

‘‘ I like the seashore,” said Fairy. ’Course 
you needn’t go there just ’cause I like it, — 
but I do think it’s awful nice. There’s the 
water you know, and the big waves come in 
all tumble-bumble, — oh, it’s beautiful to see 
them ! And if I could have a new bathing- 
suit trimmed with red braid like Gladys 
Miller’s, I do think ” 


30 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


''Wait a minute, Fairy,'' said her grand- 
mother ; " you're doing your thinking too soon. 
I'm sorry, children, more sorry than I can 
tell you, but I don't see how we can go away 
this summer, to the mountains or seashore or 
anywhere else." 

"Oh, grannymother I " cried Dorothy in dis- 
may ; " you don't mean we must stay in the 
city all summer ! " 

" I'm afraid so, my dear. I can't see any 
hope for anything else." 

" But grandma, we went last year, and we 
stayed all summer, and we had a lovely 
time." This from Lilian, whose brown eyes 
were already filling with tears. 

" In the city ! all summer ! well, I just guess 
not I " shouted Leicester. " I'm going off of 
Manhattan Island, if I have to go as a 
tramp." 

" Tramping isn't so bad," said Lilian, 
brightening up ; " we could carry our things 
in handkerchiefs slung on sticks over our 
shoulders." 

" But grannymother couldn't tramp," said 
Fairy, 


EEBELLIOUS HEAETS 31 

The streets will be broad and the lanes will be 
narrow, 

So we’ll have to take grannymother in a wheel- 
barrow,” 

chanted Dorothy. “ But tell us truly, granny, 
dear, why can’t we go away ? ” 

Grandmother Dorrance looked sad, but her 
face wore that air of placid determination 
which the children had come to look upon as 
indicative of final and unalterable decision. 

This last winter,” she said, was much 
more expensive than the winter before. 
There was the doctor and the nurse, when 
Fairy was ill ; we are paying a little more 
board here than we did at Mrs. Watson’s ; and 
then, somehow, your clothes seem to cost more 
every year. I don’t know how it is, I’m 
sure,” and the sweet old face assumed the 
worried look that always pained Dorothy’s 
heart, but somehow there isn’t any money 
left for a summer trip.” 

“ But grandma,” said Leicester, with a great 
desire to be businesslike, can’t we find a 
place to board in the country, for just the 
same price as we pay here ? ” 


32 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


“ No, it always costs a little more per week 
at any summer place than in the city. And 
that is not all ; there are the traveling ex- 
penses, and you’d all need new summer 
clothes, and there are many extra expenses, 
such as laundry work, and things that you 
children know nothing about.” 

Dorothy sat thinking. She had closed her 
French book and sat with her elbows on the 
table in front of her, and her chin in her 
hands. Dorothy Dorrance was a very pretty 
girl, although it had never occurred to her to 
think so. She had dark eyes like her father’s, 
but had inherited her mother’s blonde hair. 
Not golden, but a light golden-brown, which 
fell into soft shining curls which tossed about 
her temples, and escaped from the thick twist 
at the back of her head. She had a sunshiny 
smile, which was almost always visible, for 
Dorothy was light-hearted and of a merry 
nature. She was an all-round capable girl, 
and could turn her hand to almost anything 
she undertook. She had a capable mind too, 
and often astonished her grandmother by her 
intelligent grasp of business matters or finan- 


EEBELLIOUS HEAETS 


33 


cial problems. Indeed, Dorothy at sixteen 
had a far more practical knowledge of the 
ways and means of existence than Mrs. Dor- 
rance at seventy. 

Grandmother,^’ she said at last, after she 
had sat for some minutes staring straight 
ahead of her, and looking, as Leicester said, 
“ almost as if she were really thinking.” 

Grandmother, I think we are old enough 
now, — at any rate I am, — to know something 
about our income. How much money do we 
have a year ? ” 

That’s easily told, my child ; since your 
grandfather’s death we have very little. I 
own the house on Fifty-eighth Street, but 
from the rent of that I have to pay taxes and 
repairs. Of course Mr. Lloyd attends to all 
these matters, and his judgment is always 
right, but I can’t help thinking there is very 
little profit in that house.” 

Wouldn’t it be better to sell that house, 
and invest the money in some other way ? ” 
said Dorothy, straightforwardly. 

“ Mr. Lloyd says not, dearie, and of course 
he knows. Then besides that, I own the large 


34 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

hotel property which your grandfather bought 
a few years before he died. But as I cannot 
rent it, and cannot sell it, it is not only no 
source of income to me, but it is a great ex- 
pense.^^ 

“ Oh, * Our Domain ^ up in the mountains,” 
said Dorothy. 

“ Yes, ^ Our Domain ^ ; but I wish it were the 
Domain of somebody else,” said her grand- 
mother. 

This hotel property had always been called 
“ Our Domain,” by the family and when Mr. 
Dorrance was alive, had been looked upon as 
a sort of a joke, but the present view of the 
situation did not seem at all humorous. 

“ Never mind,” said Leicester, who was al- 
ways hopeful, “ I think it^s very nice to own a 
Domain. It makes us seem like landed pro- 
prietors, and some day, who knows, it may 
prove valuable.” 


CHAPTER III 


Dorothy’s plan 

O NE afternoon, about a week later, the 
children were again in their grand- 
mother’s room waiting for dinner-time. 
To be exact, they weren’t in the room, but 
were literally half in and half out. For Mrs. 
Dorrance’s room had two front windows, and 
two children were hanging out of each, in a 
precarious and really dangerous way. 

The twins, in one window, were vying with 
each other as to which could lean out farthest, 
without falling out ; and in the other window 
Dorothy was leaning out as far as possible, 
and at the same time trying to keep a very 
excited Fairy from pitching headlong to the 
street. 

The simple explanation of this acrobatic 
performance is, that they were looking for the 
postman. Not that they really thought he 
would come any sooner for their endangering 

35 


36 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


their lives, but each young Dorrance consid- 
ered it of the highest importance to catch the 
first glimpse of him. 

Oh, dear, do you suppose the house is 
sold ? said Lilian, for the dozenth time. 

^‘Hi!” screamed Dorothy; “there he is! 
we’ll soon know now.” 

Dorothy having won the game, the}^ all 
tumbled into the room again, and Leicester 
started down-stairs for the mail. 

“ Gently, my boy, gently,” warned his grand- 
mother. “ Don’t go down whooping like a 
wild Indian.” 

Leicester assumed a sudden air of decorum, 
and disappeared ; while the girls clustered 
around their grandmother, all talking at 
once. 

“ What do you think, grandmother? ” cried 
Dorothy, “ guess, — which way do you guess ? ” 

“ I guess, no,” said Mrs. Dorrance, who was 
used to guessing games. 

“ I guess, yes 1 ” shouted Lilian ; “ of course 
it’s sold 1 and we’ll have lots of money and 
we’ll go to Europe, and Africa, and Chicago, 
and everywhere I ” 


DOEOTHY'S PLAN 


37 


** And over to Brooklyn,” chimed in Fairy ; 

I do want to go to Brooklyn, ’cause I’ve 
never been there and Gladys Miller says it’s 

awful funny, and besides ” 

A letter ! here’s a letter,” cried Leicester, 
bouncing into the room ; “ open it, open it 
quick, granny dear ! ” 

can’t,” said the old lady, helplessly; 
“ you children make such a noise, I’m all be- 
wildered. Open it, Dorothy, and read it 
aloud ; and the rest of you, do try to keep 
still.” 

Eagerly, Dorothy tore open the letter, and 
began to read it : 


Mrs. Elizabeth Dorrance : 

Dear Madam : — I had a final interview to- 
day with Mr. Ware. As you know, he had 
about concluded to buy your hotel, but he has 
been making inquiries concerning it, and has 
learned that it has not been occupied for sev- 
eral years. He fears that he cannot make it 
pay as a business venture, and has therefore 
definitely decided not to buy it. 

I do not wish to discourage you, my dear 
madam, but it looks to me as if it would not 
be possible to sell the hotel this season, and 


38 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

indeed, I doubt if can ever dispose of it to 
your satisfaction. The next best course, in my 
opinion, would be for you to allow it to be 
sold at auction. This plan would enable you 
to pay the back taxes now due, and relieve 
you of further obligations of the same sort, — 
though I fear there would be little or no mar- 
gin of profit for you in this arrangement. 

However, should you think best to adopt 
this course, please advise me promptly, and I 
will take the necessary steps in the matter. 

I am, my dear madam. 

Respectfully yours, 

Lewis H. Lloyd. 

At the conclusion of this letter the four 
Dorrance children groaned in concert. Their 
concerted groan was an old-established affair, 
and by reason of much practice they had 
brought it to a high state of perfection. It 
began with a low wail which deepened and 
strengthened through several bass notes, and 
then slid up to high C with a wild, final 
shriek. It was most effective as an expression 
of utter exasperation, but Mrs. Dorrance, 
though accustomed to it, lived in a state of 
fear lest it might cause the landlady to request 
them to give up their rooms. 


DOEOTHY’S PLAN 


39 


Oh, dear,” said Lilian, after the groan had 
subsided, “ I felt sure that Ware man was going 
to take the old place. I think he’s mean ! ” 

“ I think Mr. Lloyd is mean,” broke in 
Dorothy. ‘‘ I don’t like him ! ” 

‘‘ It isn’t his fault, my dear,” said her grand- 
mother. “ He has done all in his power to 
sell the place, but it seems to be unsalable, ex- 
cept at auction. And that would probably 
mean that our financial affairs would be in no 
better state than they are now.” 

I’d like to see Our Domain,” said Leices- 
ter, thoughtfully ; what’s it like, grand- 
mother ? ” 

“ I don’t know, dear ; I’ve never seen it. 
Your grandfather never saw it either. He 
bought the property through an agent, merely 
as a speculation.” 

Ho ! ” cried Leicester, the idea of owning 
a Domain that nobody has ever seen I why, 
perhaps there is nothing there at all, and so 
of course nobody will buy it.” 

People ! ” exclaimed Dorothy, suddenly, 
her eyes shining, and her whole air ex- 
pressive of a wonderful discovery. And, too. 


40 THE DOEEANCE DOMAm 

when Dorothy said, “ People ! ” in that tone 
of voice, the others had learned that she 
meant to announce one of her plans. As a 
rule, her plans were wild and impracticable 
schemes, but they were always interesting to 
listen to. 

“ People, I’ll tell you exactly what we’ll do. 
Grandma says we can’t afford any extra ex- 
pense this summer. So, — we’ll go and live 
in our Domain ! ” 

‘‘ Well, of all crazy things,” said Lilian, in 
a disappointed tone. I thought you were 
going to say something nice.” 

It is nice,” said Dorothy; you think it 
isn’t, because you don’t know anything about 
it. I know all about it. Now listen and I’ll 
tell you.” 

‘‘ Know all about it ! ” said Leicester ; “ you 
don’t even know where it is ! ” 

“Anybody can find that out,” went on 
Dorothy ; “ and then when we find out, all 
we have to do is to go there. And then we’ll 
live in the house, no matter what it is. It’s 
ours, and so we won’t have to pay any rent, 
and we girls will do all the housework and 


DOEOTHY’S PLAN 


41 


cooking, and so it won’t cost near as much as 
boarding. And the difference will pay our 
traveling expenses to the Domain, wherever 
it is. And we won’t need any new clothes to 
go to a place like that, and it will be perfectly 
lovely, as good as a prairie or a Texas, or 
anything ! Now then ! ” 

Whew ! ” exclaimed Leicester ; I do be- 
lieve you’ve struck it right this time. It will 
be great ! I’ll do my share of the work, — it 
will be just like camping out. What do you 
suppose the house is like ? ” 

Isn’t it lovely not to know ! ” cried Lilian ; 
everything about it will be such a surprise. 
When can we go, grandmother? ” 

Oh, my dears, how you rattle on,” said 
Mrs. Dorrance, half-laughing, and yet begin- 
ning to take an interest in Dorothy’s plan. 

Fairy was keeping up a running fire of 
conversation, but nobody paid any attention 
to her. 

Where is the place, grandmother ? ” asked 
Dorothy, who was taking it all a little more 
seriously than the others ; you must know 
at least what state it’s in.” 



42 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

Oh, yes, I know that. It^s on the shore 
of Lake Ponetcong, — in the n^thern part of 
New Jersey.’^ 

What a fearful name ! ” cried Leicester ; 
^‘but I don^t care if it’s called Alibazan, so 
long as there’s a lake there. You never told 
us about the lake before.” 

A lake ! ” said Lilian, with an ecstatic 
air; I shall just stay on that all the time. 
I shall have a rowboat and a sailboat and a 
canoe ” 

“ And a cataraman,” supplemented her 
brother ; you can use the hotel for a boat- 
house, Lilian, and we’ll build a little cabin to 
live in.” 

Don’t go so fast, children,” said Mrs. Dor- 
rance ; “ if you’ll give me a minute to think, 
I’m not sure but I could see some sense in 
this arrangement.” 

^‘Oh, granny, dear,” cried Dorothy, clasp- 
ing her hands beseechingly ; do take a min- 
ute to think. Take several minutes, and 
think hard, and see if you can’t think some 
sense into it.” 

As you say,” began Mrs. Dorrance, while 


DOEOTHY’S PLAN 


43 


the children were breathlessly quiet in their 
anxiety, the living expenses would be very 
much less than in any boarding-house. And 
in a country-place like that, you would not 
need elaborate clothes. But there are many 
things to be considered ; you see, IVe no idea 
what the house is like, or in what condition 
we would find it.” 

Oh, never mind that,” pleaded Dorothy ; 
“ let’s take our chances. That will be the 
fun of it, to go there, not knowing what we’re 
going to. And anyway, we’ll have room 
enough.” 

Yes,” said Mrs. Dorrance, smiling; ‘4n a 
hotel you will probably have room enough. 
But what do you mean by saying you can do 
the housework ? In the first place you’re not 
strong enough, and secondly, you don’t know 
how.” 

I’ll do the work,” said Fairy. I don’t 
care if I am only twelve, I can cook ; ’cause 
when I went to Gladys Miller’s one day, she 
had a little stove and she showed me how. 
I’ll do all the cooking, and you other girls 
can do the domesticker work. Leicester can 


44 


THE DOEEANOE DOMAIN 


do all the man^s work, and grannymother can 
be a Princess of high degree, and just sit and 

look on. And then on some days ’’ 

Oh, yes, we know how to work,^’ inter- 
rupted Dorothy. It was always necessary to 
interrupt Fairy if anybody wanted to say 
anything. 

“ And I won^t mind how much I have to 
do, if we have some outdoors around us. 
Only think, it’s May out of doors now, and 
here we have to stay shut up in this old 
boarding-house, same as in December.” 

“You may go out for a while if you care to, 
little girl,” said Leicester, assuming a grown- 
up air. 

“ I don’t want to go out on paved streets,” 
said Dorothy ; “I want green fields and trees 
and cows.” 

“ I want free life and I want fresh air,” sang 
Leicester, “ and I do believe we are going to 
get it. Come, granny, speak the word, — say 
we may go.” 

“ I can’t say, positively,” said Mrs. Dor- 
rance, “ until I write to Mr. Lloyd and see 
what he thinks of it. If he agrees to the 


DOEOTHY’S PLAN 


45 


plan, I suppose we might try it. But it is all 
so uncertain.” 

Never mind the uncertainty,” said Doro- 
thy ; just leave it all to me. Now see here, 
grandmother, for twelve years you’ve looked 
after us children, and taken care of us, and 
now, I think we’re getting old enough to look 
after ourselves. Anyway, let us try it. Let 
us all go up to the Domain, and spend the 
summer there. We’ll do the best we can, and 
if we fail it will be our own fault. You’re 
not to have any responsibility, you’re just to 
be there as a kind of guardian angel and gen- 
eral adviser. Nothing very dreadful can hap- 
pen to us, — at least, nothing half so dreadful 
as staying in the city all summer. Now just 
write to Mr. Lloyd, and don’t ask his opinion, 
but tell him you’ve decided to do this, and 
just ask him how to get there.” 

We can tell how to get there, ourselves,” 
said Leicester ; let’s look it up on the map. 
Fairy, get the big atlas, will you ? ” 

Though Fairy was always called upon to 
wait on the other children, it was by no means 
an imposition, for the child was always danc- 


46 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


ing around the room anyway, and dearly 
loved to do things for people. 

Soon three of the Dorrance children were 
gathered around the table studying the map. 
Fairy, in order to see better, had climbed up 
on the table, and was eagerly following with 
her tiny forefinger the track of Leicester's 
pencil. 

It isn’t so very far, after all,” he an- 
nounced. It’s just across the ferry, and 
then up on the railroad till you get to it. 
It looks awfully near. Oh, I wish we were 
going to start to-morrow.” 

Why can’t we? ” said Lilian, who always 
favored quick action. 

There’s no reason,” said Mrs. Dorrance, 
smiling at the impetuous children ; of course 
we can just as well take the seven o’clock train 
to-morrow morning as not ! ” 

‘‘ Now you’re teasing, grandma,” said Lilian; 
truly, when can we go? ” 

Just the minute school closes,” answered 
Dorothy. ‘‘ I suppose we must stay for that, 
— I must, anyway ; but we could get off* the 
last week in May.” 


DOEOTHY’S PLAN 


47 


Here the announcement of dinner put an 
end to their planning for the present, but so 
gay of heart were they over their happy an- 
ticipations, that for once they didn’t mind the 
gloomy dining-room and their irritating fel- 
low boarders. 


CHAPTEE lY 


THE DEPARTURE 

A fter several interviews with Mr. 
Lloyd, and after discussing the mat- 
ter with several other friends whose 
advice she valued, Mrs. Dorrance concluded 
that it was best to try Dorothy’s plan. It did 
seem hard to keep the children in the city all 
summer, and however the experiment might 
result it could do no great harm in any way. 

They were to start the last week in May, 
and though Mr. Lloyd had offered to go up 
with them, Grandma Dorrance had concluded 
that would not be necessary. 

For all Mrs. Dorrance’s gentle, helpless 
manner, the fine old lady had a certain re- 
serve force, which often manifested itself in an 
unexpected decision. 

Leicester, too, showed himself capable of 
rising to an emergency, and now that there 
was occasion for him to be looked upon as the 

48 


THE DEPAETUEE 


49 


man of the family, he determined to play 
well the part. He suddenly seemed to be as 
old as Dorothy, and though he deferred to her 
judgment, he made many good suggestions 
which she was glad to accept. 

Indeed, the thought more than once oc- 
curred to Grandma Dorrance that the experi- 
ences of the coming summer would teach the 
children a great deal, and strengthen their 
characters in many ways, whatever else its re- 
sults might be. 

Not that the Dorrance children became 
sedate and responsible all at once. By no 
means. Their discussions were quite as ani- 
mated as formerly, if not more so ; and as the 
time of departure drew nearer, they became so 
excited and excitable that had they not been 
going away, there is a possibility that Mrs. 
Cooper might have invited them to do so. 

Many of their friends came to see them 
during their last few days in -the city, and 
nearly all brought them gifts or remembrances 
of some sort. 

Grandma Dorrance viewed with dismay 
the collection of souvenirs that the children 


50 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

planned to take with them. It was the live 
gifts that troubled her most, and she was 
finally obliged to stipulate that they should be 
allowed to carry only one pet each. So 
Dorothy took a dog, a large and beautiful St. 
Bernard, which she had owned for some years. 
But as he was even less desirable in a board- 
ing-house than children, they had been ob- 
liged to make his home with a friend who 
lived on Long Island. Dorothy had been in 
the habit of visiting him frequently, and a 
great friendship existed between them. 

The twins chose a pair of rabbits, because 
they had never had any rabbits before, and as 
Leicester said, “ What’s a Domain without rab- 
bits?” 

Fairy hesitated long, between a kitten and 
a canary, but finally chose the kitten, as being 
less trouble and more comfort ; and the bird 
was about to be returned to its donor. But 
Grandma Dorrance declared that she too was 
entitled to a pet and would take the bird for 
hers, whereupon Fairy was ecstatically happy. 

It was a difficult caravan to plan and to 


THE DEPAETUEE 


51 


move, but one Monday morning the departure 
was successfully accomplished. 

Two carriages and a dray-load of trunks and 
boxes formed the procession. 

Mrs. Dorrance had concluded that much of 
the necessary work of the house, especially at 
first, would be too hard for the girls ; and had 
therefore decided to take with them a strong 
young Irish girl to help. 

One of the waitresses, who was about to 
leave Mrs. Cooper^s service anyway, seemed just 
the right one. Her name was Tessie, and she 
was a devoted friend of the young Dorrances. 
Her Irish sense of humor made her delight in 
their pranks, and it was to the satisfaction of 
all that she accompanied the party. 

They crossed the city without attracting at- 
tention, but the procession that filed onto the 
ferry-boat could not long remain unnoticed. 

Fairy persisted in dancing ahead, and then 
dancing back to know which way to go next. 
She carried her kitten in a basket, and talked 
to it incessantly through the slats. Lilian 
carried the bird-cage, and Leicester, a box con- 
taining the rabbits. Dorothy led her big dog 


52 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


by a leash, and as she had assumed a sudden 
dignity, born of the occasion, she made with 
the magnificent and stately animal beside her, 
an impressive picture. Tessie was entrusted 
with the care of Grandma Dorrance ; and this 
was a wise arrangement, for though accus- 
tomed to traveling, Mrs. Dorrance was also ac- 
customed to lean on some one else for the re- 
sponsibilities of the trip. 

Dorothy saw this more plainly than ever 
during their journey, and resolved more 
strongly than ever that she would relieve her 
grandmother of all possible care, and be a real 
help and support to her. 

It was just as she reached this decision that 
Fairy lifted the lid of her basket and peeped 
in to talk to the kitten. But she opened the 
lid a trifie too wide and the frightened kitten 
jumped out and ran to the edge of the deck, 
where the poor little thing sat quivering, and 
shivering, and apparently just about to tumble 
into the water. 

Involuntarily the four Dorrances gave one 
of their best concerted groans. The low moan- 
ing notes and the final shriek roused Dare, the 


THE DEPARTUEE 


63 


^ great dog, to a sudden wild excitement. Break- 
ing away from Dorothy’s hold, he flew after 
the tiny Maltese kitten, and taking her head in 
his mouth, rescued her from imminent peril. 

But Fairy, not appreciating that it was a 
rescue, looked upon it as a massacre, and be- 
gan to howl piteously. Whereupon Dare de- 
posited the squirming kitten at Fairy’s feet, 
and added his bark, which was no faint one, 
to the general pandemonium. 

All of which so disturbed poor Mrs. Dor- 
rance, that she was glad to have Tessie lead 
her into the cabin, and there make her as 
comfortable as possible with a pillow and 
some smelling-salts. 

Meantime peace and quiet had been restored 
to the party on deck, and they were waving 
joyful farewells to the tall buildings on Man- 
hattan Island. 

There’s the old Flatiron,” cried Leicester ; 
“ good-bye, old Flatiron ! hope I won’t see 
you again for a long while.” 

There’s the new Flatiron too,” cried 
Lilian. “ I don’t want to see that again for 
ever so long, either.” 


54 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

“ YouTl see flatirons enough, my lady,^^ 
said Dorothy, when you And yourself doing 
the laundry work for a large and able-bodied 
family/^ 

“ I won’t have to do that, will I ? ” cried 
Lilian, aghast ; “ nobody told me that I ” 

Well, we needn’t wash the clothes,” said 
Dorothy ; “ but likely we’ll have to help iron ; 
that is, if we wear any white dresses.” 

I’ll promise not to wear any white 
dresses,” said Leicester. 

“ I don’t care what I wear, if we just once 
get into the country,” said Lilian. “ Oh 
Dorothy, what do you suppose it will be 
like?” 

Just like Mrs. Cooper’s,” said Dorothy, 
smiling. 

Well it can’t be like that,” said Lilian ; 
and so I don’t care what it is.” 

Another excitement came when they were 
all getting packed into the train. Dare had 
to travel in the baggage-car, of which he ex- 
pressed his disapproval by long and continu- 
ous growlings. The rabbits were put there, 
too, but they made less fuss about it. 


THE DEPAETUEE 


55 


The bird and the kitten were allowed in the 
car with the children, and this arrangement 
added to the general gayety. 

Although Mrs. Dorrance naturally con- 
sidered herself in charge of the expedition, 
and though Dorothy felt sure she was, and 
though Leicester hoped he might be, yet it 
was really quick-witted Tessie who looked 
after things and kept matters straight. 

The ride through northern New Jersey was 
not picturesque, and as there was very little 
to look at from the windows, the four soon 
returned to their favorite game of guessing 
what the new home would be like. 

What shall we call it?’^ asked Leicester; 
it ought to have a name.’^ 

“ And a nice one, too,’’ said Dorothy ; “ for, 
do you know, I think we shall live there 
always.” 

Wait ’til you see it,” said Lilian ; we 
may not even want to stay over night.” 

“ We couldn’t stay always,” said Fairy ; 
how would we go to school ? ” 

I suppose we couldn’t,” said Dorothy ; 
but after we all get through school, then we 


56 


THE DORRANCE DOMAHST 


can ; and it will be lovely to have a home of 
our own, so let’s get a good name for it.” 

‘‘Why not the Domain?” said Leicester. 
“ That’s what we’ve always called it, and so 
it sounds natural.” 

“ That isn’t enough by itself,” said Dorothy. 
“ How do you like the Dorrance Domain ? ” 

They all liked this, and so The Dorrance 
Domain was decided upon, and they all 
rushed to tell grandma the name of her new 
home. 

It was noon when the train reached the 
Ponetcong Station. Here they all bundled 
out, bag and baggage, children and animals. 
But as the boat, in which they were to con- 
tinue their journey did not leave until one 
o’clock, there was ample time to get some 
luncheon, — which more than pleased the four 
hungry Dorrances. Upon inquiry, they were 
directed to a small country hotel and soon 
found themselves confronted with many 
small portions of not over-attractive looking 
viands. 

But for once, the children cared little about 
what they ate or how it was served, so eager 


THE DEPAETUEE 


57 


were they at the prospect of soon reaching 
their new home. 

'‘ What do you suppose it will be like?’' 
said Lilian, quite as if she were propounding 
a brand-new conundrum. 

“ I’ve s’posed everything I can possibly 
think of,” said Leicester ; “ but I’m willing to 
guess again if you want me to.” 

" It isn’t worth while guessing much more,” 
said Dorothy ; " for very soon we will know. 
Now, Lilian, you and Fairy stay here with 
grandma, and Leicester and I will go over to 
that little store across the street and buy some 
things to take with us for supper to-night. 
Tessie may go too, to help us carry them.” 

But this plan was far from acceptable. 

" That isn’t fair ! ” cried Lilian ; " buying 
things for our own home is the most fun yet, 
and I think we all ought to go together.” 

" So do I,” said Fairy. " Let Tessie stay 
with grandma, and us four will go to pur- 
chase the eatabubbles.” 

Fairy did not stutter, but, when excited, she 
was apt to put extra syllables in her words. 

“ Come on, then,” said Dorothy, and with 


58 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


Dare bounding beside them, the four ran 
across the road to the little grocery shop. 

Let’s be very sensible,” said Dorothy, and 
get just the right things. You know young 
housekeepers always do ridiculous things 
when they go to buy provisions. Now what 
do we need most? ” 

Bread,” said the twins together, and surely 
nobody could have criticised their suggestion 
as ridiculous. 

“Yes,” said Dorothy, and then turning to the 
grocer, she said politely, “ Have you any bread?” 

“Yes, miss,” replied the grocer, staring in 
amazement at the four excited children; “ what 
kind?” 

“ Why, just bread,” said Dorothy ; “ fresh 
bread, you know. Is there more than one 
kind?” 

“Yes, miss. Square loaf, long loaf, twist 
loaf and raisin bread.” 

“ Oh I ” exclaimed Dorothy, appalled by 
this superabundant variety. 

But Leicester came to the rescue. “ Raisin 
bread,” said he ; “ that’s the kind. And then 
we want some butter, if you please.” 


THE DEPARTUEE 


69 


“ Print, pat or tub ? 

Oh, not a whole tub full,’' said Dorothy, 
diligently trying to be sensible ; “ we couldn’t 
carry a tub. I think we’ll take a — a print.” 

“ Yes; miss ; anything else ? ” 

The weight of responsibility was so great, 
that no one spoke for a moment, and then 
Fairy, in a burst of confidence began : 

You see, mister, we’ve never bought any- 
thing before; we’ve just eaten other people’s 
things ; but now we’ve got a home of our 
own, a really truly home, and these things are 
to eat in it. So of course you see we have to be 
very careful what we buy. We’re trying very 
hard to be sensible housekeepers, ’cause my 
sister says we must, and she knows everything 
in the world. And so if you could ’vise us a 
little, we’d know better ’bout selectioning.” 

After this speech, a few questions from the 
grocer resulted in a frank and straightforward 
statement of the case by Dorothy, and then a 
judicious selection was made of immediate 
necessities for the commissary department of 
The Dorrance Domain. 


CHAPTEE V 


THE MAMIE MEAD 

A S the man of the family and courier of 
the expedition, Leicester had assumed 
an air of importance, and looked after 
the baggage checks, tickets and time-tables 
with an effect of ofl&cial guardianship. 

“ Why, it’s a steamboat ! ” exclaimed Fairy, 
as a diminutive steamer came puffing up to 
the dock. I thought it would be a canal- 
boat.” 

“ People don’t travel to a Domain in a 
canal-boat, my child,” said Leicester, instruc- 
tively. 

“ But you said we’d go on the canal,” in- 
sisted Fairy ; “ and I want to see what a canal 

is like. There is one in my geography ” 

Skip aboard, kidlums, and you’ll soon see 
what a canal is like,” said Leicester, who was 
marshaling his party over the gangplank. 

The Mamie Mead was the very smallest 
60 


THE MAMIE MEAD 


61 


steamboat the children had ever seen, and it 
seemed like playing house to establish them- 
selves on its tiny deck. Dare seemed to find 
it inadequate to his ideas of proportion, and 
he stalked around, knocking over chairs and 
camp-stools with a fine air of indifference. 

Grandma Dorrance, who by this time was 
rather tired by the journey, was made as com- 
fortable as possible, and then the children pre- 
pared to enjoy the excitements of their first 
trip on a canal. 

The smoothness of the water amazed them 
all, and they wondered why it wasn’t more 
like a river. 

The locks, especially, aroused awe and ad- 
miration. 

By the time they went through the first 
gate they had made the acquaintance of the 
captain, and could watch the performance 
more intelligently. It seemed nothing short 
of magic to watch the great gates slowly close, 
and then to feel their own boat rising slowly 
but steadily, as the water rushed in from the 
upper sluice. 

‘‘ It’s just like Noah and the Ark,” ex- 


62 THE DOEEANCE DOMAH^ 

claimed Fairy, “ when the floods made them 
go up and up/’ 

It’s exactly like that,” agreed Dorothy, as 
the waters kept rising ; “ and we’ve nearly as 
many animals on board as he had.” 

All too soon they had risen to the level of 
the lake, and another pair of great gates 
swung open to let them through. 

Are we going to stay on top ? ” asked 
Fairy ; or must we go down again ? ” 

You’ll stay on top this time, little missie,” 
said good-natured old Captain Kane, smiling 
at Fairy. This boat ain’t no submarine to 
dive down into the lake.” 

** But you dived up into the lake,” insisted 
Fairy. 

That was the only way to get here, miss. 
But any day you would like to go back and 
dive down, here’s the man that will take you. 
The Mamie Mead is always glad of passengers. 
She don’t get none too many nowadays.” 

Why doesn’t she?” asked Leicester, with 
interest. 

Well, you see, sir, since the hotel’s been 
empty, they ain’t no call for Mamie much. 


THE MAMIE MEAD 


63 


So whenever you kids wants a free ride, just 
come down to the dock and wave something. 
If so he’s I’m goin’ by, I’ll stop and take you 
on. Is the place you’re goin’ near the 
hotel ? ” 

Near the hotel!” cried Dorothy ; why 
we’re going to the hotel.” 

“ You can’t. ’Tain’t open.” 

I know it,” said Dorothy ; but it will be 
when we get there. We have all the keys.” 

“ For the land’s sake 1 And what are you 
goin’ to do there ? ” 

We’re going to live there,” exclaimed 
Leicester; '^we own the place, — that is, my 
grandmother does.” 

Own it? Own the Dorrance place? ” 

Yes; we’re all Dorrances.” 

For the land’s sake I Well, when you want 
to go down to the station for anything, this 
here boat’s at your service, — that is, if I’m up 
this way.” 

“ Do you come up this way often ? ” asked 
Dorothy, who appreciated the possible value 
of this offer. 

“ I alius comes once a week, miss. I goes 


64 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

over to Dolan’s Point every Saturday. Will 
you be here till Saturday? ” 

‘‘ Saturday I Why we’re going to stay all 
summer.” 

Beggin’ your pardon, miss, but I don’t 
think as how you will. Just the few of you 
shakin’ around in that big hotel ! It’s ridik- 
ilus ! ” 

Ridiculous or not, we’re going to do it,” 
said Leicester, stoutly ; but we thank you 
for your offer. Captain Kane, and very likely 
we’ll be glad to accept it,” 

Well, there’s your home,” said Captain 
Kane, as a large white building began to be 
visible through the trees. 

Without a word, the Dorrance children 
looked in the direction the captain indicated. 

High up on the sloping shore of the lake, 
they saw a great house which seemed to be an 
interminable length of tall, white columns 
supporting tiers of verandas. 

Oh ! ” exclaimed Dorothy, “ that can’t be 
it ! that great, big place ! ” 

It looks like the Pantheon,” said Lilian. 

You mean the Parthenon,” said Leicester; 


THE MAMIE MEAD 


65 


but I never can tell them apart, myself. 
Anyway, if that^s the Dorrance Domain, it^s 
all right ! What do you think. Fairy ? 

Fairy looked at the big hotel, and then said 
thoughtfully, “ I guess we’ll have room 
enough.” 

I guess we will,” cried Dorothy, laughing ; 
and then they all ran to Grandma Dorrance, 
to show her the wonderful sight. 

The good lady was also astounded at the 
enormous size of the hotel, and greatly im- 
pressed with the beauty of the scene. It was 
about three o’clock, on a lovely May after- 
noon, and the hotel, which faced the west, 
gleamed among trees which shaded from the 
palest spring tints to the dark evergreens. It 
was at the top of a high slope, but behind it 
was a background of other hills, and in the 
distance, mountains. 

“ ArenH you glad we came ? Oh, granny- 
mother, arenH you glad we came ? ” cried 
Dorothy, clasping her hands in ecstasy. 

Indeed I am, dear ; but I had no idea it 
was such an immense house. How can we 
take care of it ? ” 


66 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIiT 


That question will come later/ ^ said 
Leicester ; “ the thing is now, how shall we 
get to it. How do people get to it, Captain 
Kane?^^ 

Steps, answered the captain, laconic- 
ally. 

“ Up from the dock ? 

Yep ; a hundred and forty of ’em.’' 

“ Oh, how can grandmother climb all 
those?” 

“ Settin’-places all the way along,” sug- 
gested the captain, cheerfully. 

“ Oh, you mean landing-places on the stair- 
way ? ” ‘ 

Yep ; so folks can rest. I guess your 
grandma’ll get up all right ; but what about 
all your trunks and things ? ” 

Why I don’t know,” said Leicester, sud- 
denly losing his air of capable importance. 

Well, there’s old Hickox ; you might get 
him.” 

Where can we find Mr. Hickox ? ” 

^‘He’s most generally settin’ around the 
dock. Favorite restin’-place of his. Think 
I can see him there now.” 


THE MAMIE MEAD 


67 


After a few moments more the Mamie Mead 
bumped against the dock. 

Our own dock ! ’’ cried Dorothy ; oh, 
isn’t it gorgeous ! ” 

Probably such an excited crowd had never 
before landed from the Mamie Mead, The 
children all talked at once ; Grandma Dor- 
rance seemed rejuvenated by the happy occa- 
sion ; Tessie was speechless with delight ; 
Dare gave short, sharp barks expressive of 
deep satisfaction and the canary bird burst 
into his most jubilant song. Doubtless the 
kitten was purring contentedly, if not audibly. 

The trunks and other luggage were put out 
on the dock, and Mr. Hickox sauntered up 
and viewed them with an air of great interest. 

I guess this is where I come in handy,” 
he said, with a broad smile and a deferential 
bob of his head that somehow seemed to serve 
as a general introduction all around. 

Mr. Hickox was a strange looking man. 
He was very tall, indeed, by far the tallest 
man the children had ever seen ; and he was 
also very thin. Or perhaps lean is a more ex- 
pressive word to describe Mr. Hickox, for he 


68 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


gave no impression of ill-health, or emacia- 
tion, but rather the leanness of muscular 
strength. His brown hair and side-whiskers 
were touched with gray, and his tanned face 
was wrinkled, but he did not seem like an old 
man. His blue eyes twinkled with good- 
humor, and his voice was delightfully kind. 

Instinctively the Dorrance children felt that 
they had found a friend in this strange man, 
and they were grateful. 

Could you tell us, sir,” said Leicester, 
how we are going to get these trunks and 
things up to the hotel ? ” 

Well, yes, I can tell you that. I’m going 
to lug them up myself.” 

What, carry them ? ” said Leicester, in sur- 
prise. 

“ Well, no ; not carry them, — not exactly 
carry them. You see I’ve got a little contrap- 
tion of my own ; a sort of cart or dray, and 
I’ll just put all that duffle of yours into it, 
and it’ll be up to the top before you’re there 
yourselves.” 

You don’t drag it up the stairs ! ” 

No, I go up the back way, — a rounda- 


THE MAMIE MEAD 


69 


bout, winding path of my own. But don’t 
you worry, — don’t worry, — Hickox’ll look 
after things. It’ll be all right.” 

Although Mr. Hickox spoke in short stac- 
cato jerks, his remarks seemed to carry au- 
thority ; and nodding his head in a manner 
peculiar to himself, he went off after his cart. 

He’s all right, he is,” declared Captain 
Kane ; but his old woman, she isn’t so right. 
But never mind ’bout that. You’ll see old 
Mrs. Hickox sooner or later and then you can 
size her up for yourself Well, me and Mamie 
must be gettin’ along. You all jest stay here 
till Hickox comes back, and he’ll get you up 
the hill all right.” 

As Captain Kane went away the children 
could hear him chuckling to himself, and 
murmuring, Coin’ to live in the hotel ! well, 
well ! ” 

As Grandma Dorrance would want frequent 
rests by the way, Dorothy proposed that she 
should start on up the steps with Tessie, while 
the rest waited for Mr. Hickox. 

That long specimen of humanity soon came 
briskly along, trundling a queer sort of push- 


70 THE DOEEANOE DOMAIN 

cart, which it was quite evident was of home 
manufacture. 

“ I made it myself,” he declared, pointing 
with pride to the ungainly vehicle. I was 
surprised that I could do it,’^ he added mod- 
estly ; Mrs. Hickox, she was surprised, too. 
But she generally is surprised. You donT 
know my wife, do you ? ” 

No,” said Dorothy, politely ; “ we haven’t 
that pleasure.” 

“ H’m,” said Mr. Hickox, rubbing down his 
side-whiskers ; she’s a nice woman, — a very 
nice woman, but you must take her easy. 
Yes, when you meet her, you must certainly 
take her easy. She doesn’t like to be sur- 
prised.” 

“ Do you think she will be surprised at us ? ” 
asked Lilian, who was well aware that many 
people thought the Dorrances surprising. 

“ Yes ; I think she will. I certainly think 
she will. Why, to tell the truth, I’m some 
surprised at you myself, — and I ain’t half so 
easy surprised as Mrs. Hickox.” 

As he talked, Mr. Hickox was bundling the 
luggage into his cart. He picked up trunks 


THE MAMIE MEAD 


71 


and boxes as if they weighed next to nothing, 
and deposited them neatly and compactly in 
his queer vehicle. 

“ Any of the live stock to go ? ” he inquired. 

No,'' said Dorothy, “ we'll take the ani- 
mals; unless, — yes, you might take the rab- 
bits ; their cage is so heavy." 

“ Yes, do," said Leicester ; then I'll carry 
the bird-cage, and you girls can manage the 
dog and the kitten." 

So everything else was put into the dray, 
even the provisions they had bought at the 
grocery shop, and the children watched with 
astonishment, as Mr. Hickox started off, easily 
pushing the load along a winding path. 

He's the strongest man I ever saw," ex- 
claimed Leicester ; ‘‘ and I'd like to go along 
with him to see how he does it." 

No, you come with us," said Fairy, danc- 
ing around, and clasping her brother's hand ; 

come on ; now we're going up a million 
steps and then we will come to our own Do- 
main." 

Climbing the steps was anything but a work 
of toil, for continually new delights met their 


72 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


eyes, and they paused often to exclaim and 
comment. 

About half-way up they found grandma 
and Tessie sitting on one of the small land- 
ings, waiting for them. 

“ Now wedl go the rest of the way together,’' 
said Dorothy, for we must all see our Do- 
main at the same time. Go as slowly as you 
like, grandmother, we’re in no hurry.” 


CHAPTEE VI 


THE DOKRANCE DOMAIN 

A lternately resting and climbing, 
at last they reached the top, and for 
the first time had a full view of the 
Dorrance Domain. 

Oh,” said Dorothy in an awe-struck whis- 
per, that's our home ! All of it ! ” 

Leicester, from sheer lack of words to ex- 
press his feelings, turned double somersaults 
on the grass, while Fairy danced around in 
her usual flutterbudget way, singing at the 
top of her voice. 

Lilian, the practical, after one look at the 
great building, said excitedly, “ Grandmother, 
where are the keys, quick ? ” 

The hotel itself was a white frame build- 
ing, about two hundred feet long and three 
stories high. Huge pillars supported veran- 
das that ran all around the house on each 
story. Broad steps led up to the main en- 

73 


74 THE DOEEANCE DOMAm 

trance, and at one corner was a large tower 
which rose for several stories above the main 
part of the house. 

Although the whole place had a deserted 
aspect, — the shutters were all closed, and the 
lawns uncared for, — yet it did not seem out 
of repair, or uninhabitable. Indeed, the ap- 
parent care with which it had been closed up 
and made secure was reassuring in itself, and 
the children eagerly followed Lilian who had 
gained possession of the front door key. 

With little difficulty they succeeded in un- 
fastening the great front doors and threw 
them wide open to admit the May sunshine. 

They found themselves at first in a large 
hall which ran straight through the house. 
It was furnished in red, with a velvet carpet 
and satin brocade sofas, which seemed to the 
Dorrances quite the most beautiful furnish- 
ings they had ever looked upon. 

Arched off from this hall was a good-sized 
room, which Leicester declared to be the office, 
and as soon as the windows of that could be 
thrown open, the desks and safe and other 
office furniture proved he was right. Open- 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


75 


ing a wicket door, he flew in behind the great 
desk, and throwing open a large book which 
was there, he turned it around towards Dor- 
othy with a flourish, and asked her to 
register. 

“ Oh,” she cried, wild with excitement, “ it’s 
just like the Sleeping Beauty’s palace. Every- 
thing is just as they went off and left it. Who 
registered last, Leicester?” 

“ The last is Mr. Henry Sinclair, who ar- 
rived here in July, summer before last.” 

And nobody’s been here since I ” exclaimed 
Lilian; “just think of it! It seems as if we 
ought to register.” 

“ You may if you like,” said Leicester ; “ it’s 
our register, you know.” 

But the ink was all dried up, and the pens 
all rusty, so they left the office and went to 
make further explorations. 

Across the hall from the office was the 
great parlor. Many hands make light work 
at opening windows, and in a jiffy the parlor 
was flooded with sunshine. 

Then there were more exclamations of de- 
light, for the parlor appointments were truly 


76 THE DOREANCE DOMAIN 

palatial. Gorgeous frescoes and wall decora- 
tions, mirrors in heavily gilded frames, bro- 
caded hangings, ornate furniture, and a won- 
derful crystal chandelier made a general effect 
that contrasted most pleasurably with Mrs. 
Cooper’s unpretentious drawing-room. 

Even a piano was there, and flinging it 
open, Dorothy struck up a brisk two-step, and 
in a moment the twins were dancing up and 
down the long room, while Fairy, who had 
been dancing all the time, simply kept on. 

Grandma Dorrance sank onto a sofa and 
watched her happy grandchildren, no less 
happy herself. 

It was a daring experiment, and she did 
not know how it would turn out, but she was 
glad that at last she was able to give the chil- 
dren, for a time at least, that desire of their 
heart, — a home in the country. 

After the grand parlor, and several smaller 
reception rooms, all equally attractive, they 
went back across the hall, and through 
the office to investigate the other side of the 
house. Here they found the dining-rooms. 
One immense one, containing a perfect for- 


THE DOERANCE DOMAIN 77 

est of tables and chairs, and two smaller 
ones. 

One of the smaller ones which overlooked 
the lake, Dorothy declared should be their 
family dining-room. 

“ There’s more room in the big dining- 
room,” said Lilian, slyly. 

Yes, there is,” said Dorothy ; and I do 
hate to be cramped. Perhaps we had better 
use the big one, and each one have a whole 
table all to ourselves.” 

No,” said Grandma Dorrance, we’ll use 
the small one every day, and then some time 
when we invite all Mrs. Cooper’s family to 
visit us, we can use the large one.” 

Oh,” groaned Lilian, “ don’t mention Mrs. 
Cooper’s dining-room while we’re in this one.” 

After the dining-rooms came the kitchens, 
supplied with everything the most exacting 
housekeeper could desire ; but all on the large 
scale requisite for a summer hotel. 

I should think anybody could cook here,” 
said Dorothy ; and as I propose to do the 
cooking for the family, I’m glad everything is 
so complete and convenient.” 


78 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIK 

“ You never can cook up all these things/’ 
said Fairy, looking with awe at the rows of 
utensils ; “ not even if we have seventeen meals 
a day.” 

Will you look at the dish towels I ” ex- 
claimed Lilian, throwing open the door of a 
cupboard, where hundreds of folded dish 
towels were arranged in neat piles. 

At this climax, Mrs. Dorrance sank down 
on a wooden settle that stood in the kitchen, 
and clasping her hands, exclaimed, It’s too 
much, girls, it’s too big ; we never can do any- 
thing with it.” 

“Now you mustn’t look at it that way, 
granny, dear,” said Dorothy, brightly ; “ this is 
our home ; and you know, be it ever so hum- 
ble, there’s no place like home. And if a 
home and all its fixings are too big, instead of 
too little, why, you’ll have to manage it some- 
how just the same. Of course, I’m overpow- 
ered too, at this enormous place, but I won’t 
own up to it ! I will never admit to anybody 
that I think the rooms or the house un- 
usually large. I like a big house, and I like 
spacious rooms ! I hate to be cramped, — as 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 79 

possibly you may have heard me remark be- 
fore/’ 

“ Good for you, Dot ! ” cried Leicester. “ I 
won’t be phased either. We’re here, and 
we’re here to stay. We’re not going to 
be scared off by a few square miles of red 
velvet carpet, and some sixty-foot mir- 
rors ! ” 

‘‘ I think the place rather small, myself,” 
said Lilian, who rarely allowed herself to be 
outdone in jesting ; I confess / have a little 
of that cramped feeling yet.” 

At this they all laughed, and went on with 
their tour of the house. Merely taking a peep 
into the numerous pantries, laundries, store- 
rooms and servants’ quarters, they concluded 
to go at once to inspect the bedrooms. 

Don’t go up these stairs,” said Leicester 
turning away from the side staircase. “ Let’s 
go back to the main hall, and go up the grand 
staircase, as if we had just arrived, and were 
being shown to our rooms.” 

Oh, isnH it fun ! ” cried Fairy, as she 
hopped along by her brother’s side. I never 
had such a fun in my whole life ! Wouldn’t 


80 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

it be awful if we were really guests instead of 
purporietors ? ” 

You wouldn’t be a guest,” said Leicester, 
teasingly ; no well-conducted summer hotel 
would take a flibbertigibbet like you to 
board ! ” 

Nobody would take us Dorrances to board 
anyway, if they could help it,” said Fairy, 
complacently ; we all know how obnoxiorous 
we are.” 

I know,” said Grandma Dorrance, sigh- 
ing ; and if we can only make a little corner 
of this big place habitable, I shall certainly 
feel a great relief in not being responsible for 
you children to any landlady.” 

“ Oh, come now, granny, we’re not so bad, 
are we ? ” said Leicester, patting the old lady’s 
cheek. 

You’re not bad at all. You’re the best 
children in the world. But just so sure as 
you get shut up in a boarding-house you get 
possessed of a spirit of mischief, and I never 
know what you are going to do next. But 
up here I don’t care what you do next.” 

By this time they had reached the entrance 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


81 


hall, and assuming the air of a proprietor, 
Leicester, with an elaborate flourish and a 
profound bow, said suavely : 

“ Ah, Mrs. Dorrance, I believe. Would 
you like to look at our rooms, madam? We 
have some very flne suites on the second floor 
that I feel sure will please you. Are these 
your children, madam ? 

“ We^re her grandchildren,” volunteered 
Fairy, anxious to be in the game. 

“ Incredible ! Such a young and charming 
lady with grandchildren ! Now I should have 
said you were the grandmother,” with another 
elaborate bow to Fairy. 

Laughing at Leicester's nonsense, they all 
went up-stairs together, and discovered a 
perfect maze of bedrooms. 

Scattering in different directions, the chil- 
dren opened door after door, pulled up blinds, 
and flung open windows, and screamed to 
each other to come and see their discoveries. 
Tessie followed the tribe around, wondering 
if she were really in fairyland. The unso- 
phisticated Irish girl had never seen a house 
like this before, and to think it belonged to 


82 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

the people with whom she was to live, sud- 
denly filled her with a great awe of the Dor- 
rance family. 

Do you like it, Tessie ? asked Mrs. Dor- 
rance, seeing the girl’s amazed expression. 

Oh, yis, mum ! Shure, I niver saw any- 
thing so grand, mum. It’s a castle, it is.” 

“ That’s right, Tessie,” said Leicester ; a 
castle is the same as a domain. And all these 
millions of bedrooms are part of our Domain. 
Our very own ! Hooray for the Dorrance 
Domain ! ” 

The wild cheer that accompanied and fol- 
lowed Leicester’s hurrah must have been 
audible on the other side of Lake Ponetcong. 
At any rate it served as a sort of escape-valve 
for their overflowing enthusiasm, which other- 
wise must soon have gotten beyond their con- 
trol. 

I think,” said Mrs. Dorrance, that it 
would be wise for you each to select the bed- 
room you prefer, — for to-night at least. If 
you choose to change your minds to-morrow, 
I don’t know of any one who will object.” 

Oh ! ” said Lilian, “ to think of changing 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


83 


your room in a hotel just as often as you like, 
and nobody caring a bit ! I shall have a 
different one every night/ ^ 

“ That won’t be my plan,” said her grand- 
mother, laughing ; “I think I shall keep the 
one I’m in, for mine, and make no change.” 

As it was a large, pleasant, southwest room, 
with a delightful view of the lake, it was 
thought to be just the one for grandma, and 
they all willingly agreed. 

Do you suppose there are sheets and 
pillow-slips and things ? ” asked Dorothy, 
and a pell-mell rush of four explorers soon 
brought about the discovery of a wonderful 
linen room. 

Grandma and Tessie were called to look, 
and all exclaimed at the sight. It was a large 
room with shelves on all four sides and the 
shelves were piled with neatly-folded clean 
linen, — sheets, counterpanes, towels, — every- 
thing that was necessary. 

Whoever left this house last,” said 
grandma, “ was a wonderful housekeeper. 
I should like to see her and compliment her 
personally.” 


84 THE DOEEANOE DOMAIN 

“ Share, it’s wonderful, mum ! ” said Tessie, 
still a little dazed by the succession of won- 
ders. 

“ Well then, children,” went on grandma, 
pick out your rooms, and Tessie can make 
up your beds for you, and when Mr. Hickox 
brings the trunks, they can be brought right 
up here.” 

How clever you are, granny mother,” cried 
Dorothy, kissing her. “ I said I’d direct the 
arrangements, — and yet I never once thought 
of all that.” 

“ Never mind, dearie, we don’t expect an 
old head to grow on young shoulders all at 
once. And besides, you’ll have enough to do 
down-stairs. Did I hear you say you’re going 
to get supper? And is anybody going to 
build a fire in the kitchen ? ” 

^‘I’ll build the fire,” cried Leicester, “just 
as soon as I select my room from the hotel 
clerk.” 

The boy ran down the hall and in a few 
moments returned, saying that he had made 
a selection, and would take the tower-room. 

Of course they all flew to see it, and found 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


85 


a large octagon-shaped room with windows on 
five sides, leaving only enough wall space for 
the necessary furniture. But it was a beauti- 
ful room, “just like being outdoors,'^ Leices- 
ter said, and they all applauded his choice. 

Just then the door-bell was heard to ring, 
and this gave the children a new sensation. 

“ Our own door-bell ! cried Dorothy ; 
“ only to think of that ! Tessie, please go 
down to the door ! ’’ and Tessie went, with the 
four Dorrances following close behind her. 


CHAPTEE VII 


ME. HICKOX 

I T was Mr. Hickox who was at the door. 
By a winding path he had pushed his 
cart full of luggage up the hill, and now 
expressed his willingness to deposit the goods 
where they belonged. 

The big man seemed to think nothing of 
carrying the trunks, one after another, up to 
the bedrooms ; and meantime the children 
carried the provisions to the kitchen. 

Although Dorothy was nominally house- 
keeper, and wanted to assume entire charge 
of all household arrangements. Grandma Dor- 
rance had a long and serious talk with Mr. 
Hickcox regarding ways and means. 

It was most satisfactory ; for whenever any 
apparent difficulty arose, the kind-hearted 
man summarily disposed of it by waving 
his hand and remarking : Don’t worry. 

86 


ME. HICKOX 


87 


Hickox’ll look after things. It^ll be all 
right ! ” 

So convincing was his attitude that Mrs. 
Dorrance at last felt satisfied that there were 
no serious obstacles in their path ; and like 
the sensible lady she was, she determined to 
let Dorothy have full power and manage her 
new home in any way she saw fit. 

Dorothy’s nature was, perhaps, a little over- 
confident. She was not inclined to hesitate 
at anything ; indeed, the more difficult the 
undertaking, the greater her determination to 
succeed. 

And so, when Mrs. Dorrance informed Mr. 
Hickox that Miss Dorothy was the house- 
keeper, and was in authority, Dorothy rose to 
the occasion and assumed at once a certain 
little air of dignity and responsibility that sat 
well upon her. 

She, too, was encouraged by Mr. Hickox’s 
continued assertions that it would be all right. 

She learned from him that the nearest place 
where, they might buy provisions was Wood- 
ville, where a certain Mr. Bill Hodges kept a 
store. His wares included everything that a 


88 


THE DOERANCE DOMAIN 


country store usually deals in, and Bill him- 
self,” said Mr. Hickox, is just the cleverest 
man in these parts.” 

“ How do we get there?” asked Leicester, 
who had declared his willingness to consider 
going to market as part of his share of the 
work. 

“ Well, there’re several ways. Haven’t got 
a horse, have you ? ” Mr. Hickox said this, 
casually, as if he thought Leicester might 
have one in his pocket. 

“ No,” said Leicester ; we don’t own a 
horse. Is it too far to walk ? ” 

“ No ; ’tain’t any too much of a sprint for 
young legs like yours. It’s two miles around 
by the road and over the bridge. But it’s 
only a mile across by the boat.” 

“ But we haven’t any boat.” 

“ Haven’t any boat ! well I should say you 
had. Why there is half-a-dozen rowboats be- 
longs to this hotel ; and a catboat too, and a 
sneak-box, — my land I you’ve got everything 
but a steamboat.” 

‘‘ And Captain Kane said we could use his 
steamboat,” cried Dorothy, gleefully ; so 


MK. HICKOX 


89 


we’ve really got a whole navy at our dis- 
posal I ” 

“ So you have, so you have,” agreed Mr. 
Hickox, rubbing his long hands together, in 
a curious way he had ; “ and don’t you worry. 
Whenever you want anything that you can’t 
get with your navy, Hickox ’ll look after it. 
It’ll be all right ! ” 

“ Do you live near here, Mr. Hickox ? ” 
asked Lilian. 

Well, yes, miss. Just a piece up the road. 
And if you want some nice fresh garden 
truck, now and then, — -just now and then ; — 
we haven’t got enough to supply you regular.” 

“ We’ll be very glad to have it, whenever 
you can spare it,” said Dorothy ; I’ll send 
for it.” 

Well, no. Miss Dorothy. I’d some rather 
you wouldn’t send for it. You see Mrs. 
Hickox she’s apt to — to be surprised at any- 
thing like that.” 

Oh, very well,” said Dorothy ; bring it 
whenever it’s convenient. We’re always glad 
of fresh vegetables. And eggs, — do you have 
eggs?” 


90 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

“Now and again, — -just now and again. 
But when we have them to spare I’ll bring 
’em. It’ll be all right. Now I must jog 
along; Mrs. Hickox will be surprised if I 
don’t get home pretty soon.” 

“ One thing more, Mr. Hickox,” said Mrs. 
Dorrance. “ Are there ever any burglars or 
marauders around this neighborhood ? ” 

“ Land, no, ma’m ! Bless your heart, don’t 
you worry a mite ! Such a thing was never 
heard of in these parts. Burglars ! ho, ho, 
well I guess not ! Why I’ve never locked my 
front door in my life, and I never knew any- 
body around here that did.” 

After Mr. Hickox’s departure, Leicester ob- 
served thoughtfully, “ What a very surpris- 
able woman Mrs. Hickox seems to be.” 

“Yes,” agreed Dorothy ; “I’m anxious to 
see her. I think I’d like to surprise her a 
few times.” 

“ Well, he’s a nice man,” said Lilian ; “ I 
like him.” 

“ Yes, he is nice,” said Leicester ; “ and isn’t 
that jolly about the boats? I’m going right 
out to hunt them up.” 


ME. HICKOX 


91 


“Hold on, my First Gold-Stick-In-Wait- 
ing,’' said Dorothy ; “ I think you promised 
to make a kitchen fire.” 

“ Sure enough, Major-domo,” returned 
Leicester, gaily ; “ I’ll do that in a jiffy. 
Where’s the kindling-wood?” 

“ Where’s the kindling-wood, indeed,” re- 
turned Dorothy ; “ to make the fire, 

and you’re also to make the kindling-wood, 
and the paper and the matches ! I’m not 
employing assistants who don’t assist.” 

“ All right, my lady. I’ll make your fire, 
even if I have to split up that big settle for 
fire-wood.” 

With a wild whoop, Leicester disappeared 
in the direction of the kitchen. 

“ Oh, grannymother,” cried Dorothy, “ isn’t 
it splendid that we can make just as much 
noise as we want to ! Now you sit right here 
on the veranda, and enjoy the view ; and 
don’t you budge until you’re called to sup- 
per.” And with another war-whoop scarcely 
less noisy than her brother’s, Dorothy went 
dancing through the big rooms, followed by 
her two sisters. 


92 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

When she reached the kitchen, she found a 
fine fire blazing in the range. 

Leicester sat on the settle, with his hands 
in his pockets, and wearing a complacent air 
of achievement. 

Anything the matter with that fire? he 
inquired. 

“ How did you ever do it in such a min- 
ute ? ” cried his twin, gazing admiringly at 
her brother. 

“ Magic, said Leicester. 

“ Magic in the shape of Tessie,” said Dor- 
othy, laughing, as the good-natured Irish girl 
appeared from the pantry. 

“ Right you are,’^ said Leicester ; “ that’s 
Tessie’s own fire. And she didn’t have to 
split up the furniture, for she says there’s lots 
of wood and coal in the cellar.” 

Well, did you ever ! ” cried Dorothy ; “ I 
wouldn’t be a bit surprised to learn that there 
was a gold mine in the parlor, or a pearl 
fishery up in the tower.” 

I’d rather learn that there is something 
to eat somewhere,” said Leicester ; I’m 
simply starving. What’s the use of three 


ME. HICKOX 


93 


sisters if they can't get a fellow some sup- 
per?" 

“ That's so," agreed Dorothy ; “ and we all 
must go right to work. You can't help with 
this part, Leicester. You skip away now, your 
turn will come later. Now girls," she went 
on, as Leicester vanished, not without the 
usual accompaniment of an ear-splitting yell, 
we're going to have an awful lot of fun ; and 
we can make just as much noise and racket 
as we please ; but all the same there's a lot of 
work to be done, and we're going to do it, and 
do it properly. It's a great deal easier if we 
have system and method, and so we'll divide 
up the work and each of us must do our own 
part, and do it thoroughly and promptly." 

“ Hear, hear ! " cried Lilian, who adored her 
older sister, and was more than willing to obey 
her commands. 

What can I do ? " screamed Fairy, who 
was dancing round and round the kitchen, 
perching now on the window-seat, now on the 
table, and now on the back or arm of the old 
settle. 

We must each have our definite work," 


94 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


went on Dorothy, who was herself sitting on 
the back of a chair with her feet on the 
wooden seat. Tessie will have her share, 
but she can’t do everything. So there’s 
plenty for us to do. Grandma is not to do a 
thing, that’s settled. If four women and a 
man can’t take care of one dear old lady, it’s 
high time they learned how.” 

As the youngest of the four “ women ” was 
just then clambering up the cupboard shelves, 
and singing lustily at the top of her voice, some 
people might have thought that the dear old 
lady in question had an uncertain outlook. 
But Dorothy was entirely undisturbed by the 
attitudes of her audience, and continued her 
discourse. 

I shall do the cooking, — that is, most of 
it. I’m a born cook, and I love it ; besides I 
want to learn, and so I’m going to try all 
sorts of dishes, and you children will have to 
eat them, — good or bad.” 

“ I like to make cake and fancy desserts,” 
said Lilian. 

All right, you can make them. And I’ll 
make croquettes and omelets, and all sorts of 


ME. HICKOX 


95 


lovely things, and Tessie can look after the 
boiling of the potatoes and vegetables, and 
plain things like that. You haven’t had 
much experience in cooking, have you, Tes- 
sie ?^’ 

No, Miss Dorothy ; but I’m glad to learn, 
and I’ll do just whatever you tell me.” 

‘‘ Fairy can set the table, and help with the 
dusting. We girls will each take care of our 
own rooms, and Tessie can take care of Leices- 
ter’s. I’ll attend to grandma’s room my- 
self.” 

“ Let me help with that,” said Lilian. 

Yes, we’ll all help ; and we’ll keep the 
parlors tidy, and Tessie can wash the dishes 
and look after the dining-room and kitchen. 
Leicester can help with the out-of-door work ; 
the grass ought , to be mowed and the paths 
kept in order. But good gracious ! none of 
this work is going to amount to much. If 
we’re spry, we can do it all up in less than no 
time, and have hours and hours left every 
day to play, and read, and go out on the lake, 
and tramp in the woods, and just enjoy our- 
selves. Oh, isn’t it great!” and jumping to 


96 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

the floor with a bang, Dorothy seized the 
hands of the others, and in a moment all four 
were dancing around in a ring, while the 
three Dorrance voices loudly proclaimed that 
there was no place like home. 

Tessie had begun to grow accustomed to the 
boisterous young people, and as she thought 
everything they did was nothing short of per- 
fection, she readily adapted herself to her own 
part. 

What about the laundry- work. Miss Doro- 
thy ? she asked. 

“ Why, I don’t know,” said Dorothy. “ I 
hadn’t really thought of that. I wonder if 
we can And a laundress anywhere around. 
We must ask Mr. Hickox.” 

Now, Miss Dorothy, if you’ll let me, I’m 
just sure I can do the washing and ironing. 
With all these beautiful tubs and things, it’ll 
be no trouble at all, at all.” 

“ Why if you could, Tessie, that would be 
flne. Let me see, we won’t have many white 
dresses or fancy things, but there’ll be lots of 
sheets and table linen. You know we’re a 
pretty big family.” 


MR. HICKOX 


97 


Yes, miss ; but I^m sure I can do it all. 
I’m strong, and I’m a good washer.” 

“ Well, we’ll try it, anyway,” said Dorothy, 
and see how you get along. We girls will 
help a little more with your work on Mon- 
days and Tuesdays, and then I think it will 
all come out right.” 

Dorothy was a singular mixture of capa- 
bility and inconsequence. 

Her power of quick decision, and her confi- 
dence in her own ability, made her words a lit- 
tle dictatorial ; but the gentleness of her nature, 
and the winning smile which accompanied 
her orders took from them any touch of un- 
pleasant authority. Dorothy’s whole attitude 
was one of good comradeship, and though 
much given to turbulent demonstration of her 
joy of living, she was innately of an equable 
temperament and had never been known to 
lose her temper. 

Lilian, on the other hand, was more excita- 
ble, and more prone to hasty decisions which 
were afterwards rejected or revised. Lilian 
could get very angry upon occasion, but she 
had a fine sense of justice ; and if she found 


98 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


herself in the wrong, she was more than ready 
to confess it and to make amends. The two 
girls really exercised a good influence over 
one another, and the bonds of affection between 
them were very strong. Indeed the four 
Dorrances were a most loyal quartet ; and 
though they teased each other, and made fun 
of each other, it was always in an honest 
good-humored spirit that was quite willing to 
take as much as it gave. 


CHAPTER VIII 


MRS. HICKOX 

A t six o^clock the family sat down to 
supper. 

Dorothy had a lingering desire to 
use the great dining-room, but Mrs. Dorrance 
had persuaded her that it was far more sen- 
sible to use the smaller one, and she had 
pleasantly acquiesced. 

Indeed the smaller one was a large apart- 
ment, about four times the size of Mrs. 
Cooper’s dining-room. The outlook across 
the lake was charming, and the room itself 
prettily decorated and furnished. 

Fairy had wanted to use small tables, let- 
ting two sit at each table, but again Grandma 
Dorrance had gently insisted on a family 
table. 

So the small tables had been taken from 
the room, and a good-sized round dining- 
table substituted, at which Mrs. Dorrance pre- 
L6fG. 99 


100 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


sided. Leicester sat opposite her, Dorothy on 
one side, and the two younger girls on the 
other. 

Very attractive the table looked, for the 
china, glass and plated silverware were all 
practically new, and of pretty design. Tessie 
was an experienced and willing waitress ; and 
it is safe to say that the Dorrance family had 
never before so enjoyed a meal. 

Many hands had made light work, and 
Dorothy’s had made light biscuit, and also a 
delicious omelet. They had strawberry jam 
and potted cheese, and some sliced boiled 
ham, all of which they had bought at the 
grocery shop on the way up. 

It’s a sort of pick-up supper,” said 
Dorothy ; but I’m not saying this by way of 
apology. You will very often have a pick-up 
supper. Indeed, I think almost always. 
WeVe going to have dinner in the middle of 
the day, because that’s the better arrangement 
in the country.” 

J ust at that moment, nobody seemed to care 
what the dinner hour might be, so interested 
were they in the supper under consideration. 


MES. HICKOX 


101 


I think pick-ups are lovely/’ said Fairy, 
taking a fourth biscuit ; ‘‘ I never tasted any- 
thing so good as these biscuit, and I do hope 
Dorothy ’ll make them three times a day. 
They are perfectly deliciorous ! ” 

You’re very flattering,” said Dorothy. 

But I won’t promise to make them three 
times a day.” 

“ I could eat them six times a day,” de- 
clared Leicester ; “ but I don’t want Dot to be 
cooking all the time. What do you think, 
girls, there are lots of boats of every sort and 
kind. Shall we go out rowing this evening, 
or wait till to-morrow ? ” 

“ You ’ll wait till to-morrow,” said grandma, 
quietly. 

All right, grandma,” said Leicester ; “ we 
’ll start to-morrow morning right after break- 
fast ; will you go, too ? ” 

“ No, not on your first trip. I may go with 
you some time later in the season. And I’ll 
tell you now, children, once for all, that I’m 
going to trust you to go on the lake whenever 
you choose ; with the understanding that 
you’re to be sensible and honorable about it. 


102 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


The lake is very treacherous ; and if there is 
the least doubt about its being safe to venture 
out, you must ask Mr. Hickox about it, and 
if he advises you against it, you must not go. 
Also I trust you to act like reasonable human 
beings when you are in a boat, and not do 
foolish or rash things. In a word, I trust you 
not to get drowned, and somehow I feel sure 
you won’t.’’ 

Good for you, grannymother ! ” cried 
Leicester ; “ you’re of the right sort. Why 
I’ve known grandmothers who would walk 
up and down the dock wringing their hands, 
for fear their geese weren’t swans, — no, I guess 
I mean for fear their chickens weren’t ducks. 
Well, anyhow, it doesn’t make any difference ; 
you’re the best grandmother in the world, and 
always will be.” 

After supper the Dorrances strolled through 
the hotel, and finally seated themselves in the 
great parlor. 

Fairy plumped herself down in the middle 
of the floor, and sat cross-legged, with her 
chin in her hands. 

What’s the matter, baby ? ” asked Leices- 


MES. HICKOX 


103 


ter ; aren’t these satin sofas good enough for 
you?” 

“ Yes, but I like to sit in the middle, and 
then I can look all around. I am just goat- 
ing over it.” 

Goat away ; we’re all doing the same 
thing,” said Dorothy ; now grandmother, 
you sit on this sofa ; and I’ll go ’way down to 
the other end of the room, and sit on that 
one, and then we’ll holler at each other. It’s 
such a relief not to be cooped up in a little 
bunch.” 

The twins seated themselves on opposite 
sides of the room, and then the conversation 
was carried on in loud tones, that delighted 
the hearts of these noise-loving young people. 

So merry were they that their laughter 
quite drowned the sound of the door-bell 
when it rang, and before they knew it, Tessie 
was ushering a visitor into the parlor. 

The great chandeliers had not been lighted, 
but the thoughtful Tessie had filled and 
lighted several side lamps, so they were quite 
able to see their somewhat eccentric-looking 
guest. She wore a black silk mantilla of au 


104 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

old-fashioned style; and her bonnet which 
was loaded with dangling black bugles, was 
not much more modern. She was a small, 
thin little woman, with bright, snapping black 
eyes, and a sharp nose and chin. 

I’ni Mrs. Hickox,” she said, and I’m sur- 
prised that you people should come to live in 
this great big hotel.” 

As Leicester said afterwards, if there had 
been any doubt as to the lady’s identity, they 
would have felt sure, as soon as she declared 
her surprise. 

We are glad to see you, Mrs. Hickox,” 
said Grandma Dorrance, rising with her gen- 
tle grace, and extending her hand in cordial 
greeting to her visitor. ‘‘ Won’t you be 
seated ? ” 

Mrs. Hickox sat down carefully on the edge 
of one of the chairs. 

I’m surprised,” she said, “ that you should 
use this best room so common. Why don’t 
you sit in some of the smaller rooms ? ” 

We like this,” said Grandma Dorrance, 
quietly. “ May I present my grandchildren, 
— this is Dorothy.” 


MES. HICKOX 


105 


The four were duly introduced, and really 
behaved remarkably well considering they 
were choking with laughter at Mrs. Hickox's 
continual surprises. 

Do you propose to live in the whole 
house?” asked Mrs. Hickox, after the chil- 
dren had seated themselves a little more de- 
corously than usual. 

Yes,” said Mrs. Dorrance, my grand- 
children have been cooped up in small city 
rooms for so long, that they are glad to have 
plenty of space to roam around in.” 

TisnT good for children to be left so free. 
It makes ^em regular hobbledehoys. Chil- 
dren need lots of training. Now that Dor- 
othy, — my husband tells me she^s head of the 
house. How ridiculous ! ” 

Perhaps it is ridiculous, Mrs. Hickox,” 
said Dorothy, dimpling and smiling ; but 
I’m over sixteen, and that’s quite a big girl, 
you know.” 

Oh, you’re big enough for your age, but 
there’s no sense of your keeping house in a 
great big hotel like this.” 

There’s no sense in our doing anything 


106 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

else, Mrs. Hickox,’^ said Leicester, coming to 
his sister’s rescue. We own this place, and 
we can’t sell it or rent it, so the only thing 
to do is to live in it.” 

Mrs. Hickox shook her head until the jets 
on her bonnet rattled, and the children won- 
dered if she wouldn’t shake some of them 
off. 

No good will come of it,” she said. This 
hotel has had six proprietors since it was built, 
and none of them could make it pay.” 

“ But we’re not keeping a hotel, Mrs. 
Hickox,” said Grandma Dorrance, smiling; 

we’re just living here in a modest, unpre- 
tentious way, and I think my grandchildren 
are going to be happy here.” 

Well, that’s what Mr. Hickox said ; but 
I wouldn’t believe him, and I said I’d just 
come over to see for myself. It seems he was 
right, and I must say I am surprised.” 

Mrs. Hickox was a nervous, fidgety woman, 
and waved her hands about in a continu- 
ous flutter. She was all the time picking 
at her bonnet-strings, or her dress-trimmings, 
or the fringe of her mantilla. Indeed once 


MES. HICKOX 


107 


she pulled the feather of her bonnet over 
in front of her eyes and then tossed it back 
with a satisfied smile. “ I often do that,” she 
said, to make sure it’s there. It blew out 
one night, and I lost it. I found it again 
and sewed it in tight, but I get worried about 
it every once in a while. I’m awful fond of 
dress, and I hope you brought a lot of new 
patterns up from the city. I’ve got a new- 
fangled skirt pattern, but I don’t like it be- 
cause it has the pocket in the back. The 
idea ! I was surprised at that. I like a 
pocket right at my finger-ends all the time.” 

As Mrs. Hickox spoke she thrust her five 
finger-ends in and out of her pocket so rapidly 
and so many times, that Dorothy felt quite sure 
she would wear her precious pocket to rags. 

What do you carry in your pocket?” 
asked Fairy, fascinated by the performance. 

“ Many things,” said Mrs. Hickox, mys- 
teriously ; “ but mostly newspaper clippings. 
I tell you there’s lots of good things in news- 
papers ; and we have a paper ’most every 
week, so of course I can cut out a good many. 
The only trouble, cutting clippings out of a 


108 THE DOREANCE DOMAIN 

paper does spoil the paper for covering shelves. 
The papers on my pantry shelves now have 
had some clippings cut out of them, but I just 
set piles of plates over the holes. Well, I 
must be going. I just came over to be so- 
ciable. I’m your nearest neighbor, and of 
course up here in the country neighbors have 
to be neighborly, but I’m free to confess I 
don’t favor borrowing nor lending. Wood- 
ville is nearer you than it is me, and I expect 
you’ll do your trading there.” 

Of course we shall, Mrs. Hickox,” said 
Dorothy, flushing a little ; we are not the 
sort of people who borrow from our neigh- 
bors. But Mr. Hickox told us that you some- 
times had vegetables and eggs to sell ; if that 
is so, we’d be glad to buy them.” 

“ When I have them, miss. I’ll let you 
know,” said Mrs. Hickox, shaking her bugles 
more violently than ever. “ But you needn’t 
come ’round inquiring for them ; when I 
have them I’ll let you know.” 

Thank you,” said Dorothy, who was only 
amused, and not at all angry at her visitor’s 
hostile attitude. 


MES. HICKOX 


109 


But Lilian could not so easily control her 
indignation. “ We can get vegetables and 
eggs at Woodville/’ she said. “ We don’t 
really need any of yours.” 

Oh, well, I guess that’ll be the least of 
your troubles,” said Mrs. Hickox, edging 
towards the door, with a restless, jerky gait. 

You’re lucky if the tank don’t burst, or the 
windmill get out of order, or anything happen 
that will be really worth worrying over.” 

By this time Mrs. Hickox had backed out 
and edged along until she was on the veranda. 
“ Good-bye,” she said, awkwardly ; come to 
see me, when you feel to do so ; but I ain’t 
noways set on having company. I like the 
little one best, though.” 

This sudden avowal so startled Fairy, that 
she fell off the newel-post where she had 
been daintily balancing herself on one foot. 
As Leicester caught her in his arms, no harm 
was done, but Mrs. Hickox ejaculated, with 
a little more force than usual, “ Well, I am 
surprised ! ” 

That’s why I tumbled over,” said Fairy, 
looking intently at Mrs. Hickox, ’cause 1 


110 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


was so s’prised that you said you liked me 
best. If you want me to, Vll come to see 
you with great pleasure and delight.’^ 

Come once in a while, said Mrs. Hickox, 
cautiously ; “ but I don't want you racing 
there all the time." 

“ No, I won’t race there all the time,” said 
Fairy, seriously. “ I’ll just race down about 
once a day. Where do you live ? ” 

I live in the yellow house, — the first one 
down the road. But you needn’t come more 
than once a week.” 

All right,” said Fairy, cheerfully ; we’ll 
make it Wednesdays then. I love to have 
things to do on Wednesday, ’cause I used to 
take my music lesson on that day, and it’s so 
lonesome not to have anything special to do.” 

While Fairy was talking, Mrs. Hickox had 
shaken hands all around, and had backed 
down the steps. 

“ Good-bye,” she said, vigorously waving 
both hands as she went away. 

Well, of all queer people ! ” exclaimed 
Dorothy, as they went back to the parlor. 
“ I’m glad we haven’t many neighbors, if 


MES. HICKOX 


111 


they^re all like that. Mr. Hickox is funny 
enough, but she’s funnier yet.” 

We don’t care whether we have neighbors 
or not, we’ve got the Dorrance Domain,” said 
Leicester ; “ and that’s enough to make us 
happy, and keep us so.” 

“ So say we all of us,” cried Lilian ; the 
Dorrance Domain forever ! ” 

As usual, this was merely a signal for a 
series of jubilant hurrahs, and quiet Grandma 
Dorrance sat on her sofa, and listened con- 
tentedly to her happy, if noisy brood. 


CHAPTEE IX 


THE FLOATING BRIDGE 

» 

N ext morning the young Dorrances 
experienced for the first time the joy 
of going to market. 

Their appointed household tasks were all 
done first, for Dorothy had insisted on that. 
Then she and Tessie had conferred as to what 
was needed, and she had made out a list. 

Grandma Dorrance had decreed against a 
sailboat for the children alone ; but they were 
at liberty to go in a rowboat. 

So down the steps the four ran, and found 
Mr. Hickox waiting for them at the dock. 

He had put a boat in the water for them. 
It was a round-bottomed boat, but wide and 
roomy ; easy to row and provided with two 
pairs of shining oars. 

“ Can any of you row ? ” inquired Mr. 
Hickox, looking uncertainly at the children ; 
for I can’t go along with you this morning. 
112 


THE FLOATING BEIDGE 


113 


Mrs. Hickox, she wants me to work in the 
garden, — she says the weeds are higher ^n a 
kite.’’ 

“ We can row,” said Leicester ; but not so 
very well. We haven’t had much experi- 
ence, you know. But we’re going to learn.” 

I thought we’d each have a boat,” said 
Fairy ; ‘‘ I want to learn to row. I want to 
be a ’sperinshed boat-lady.” 

You can learn to row, baby, but you can’t 
go in a boat all by yourself until you have 
learned.” 

“ But I ’most know how now.” 

“ Well I’ll tell you how we’ll fix it ; two of 
us will row going over, and the other two can 
row coming back. To divide up evenly, sup- 
pose Dorothy and Lilian row over, and Fairy 
and I will row home.” This was a bit of 
self-sacrifice on Leicester’s part, for he was 
most eager to handle the oars himself. 

Mr. Hickox quite appreciated the boy’s at- 
titude, and nodded approvingly at him but he 
only said : All right, sonny, you sit in the 
stern and steer, and I make no doubt these 
young ladies v’ll row you over in fine shape.” 


114 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

Fairy was safely settled in the bow, with 
an admonition to sit still for once in her 
life ; and then Dorothy and Lilian excitedly 
grasped the oars and splashed away. 

It was not very skilful rowing, but it pro- 
pelled the boat, and by the aid of Leicester’s 
steering, they made a progressive, if somewhat 
zigzag course. 

The morning was perfect. The lake calm 
and placid, with tiny soft ripples all over it. 
The green hills sloped down to its shore on 
all sides ; while here and there, at long inter- 
vals, a house or a building gleamed white 
among the trees. The exhilarating air, and 
the excitement of the occasion roused the 
Dorrances’ spirits far above normal, — which 
is saying a great deal. 

The arms of the rowers grew very tired ; 
partly because they were so unused to vigor- 
ous exercise, and partly because the rowing 
was far more energetic than scientific. 

But the girls didn’t mind being tired, and 
pulled away gleefully to an accompaniment 
of laughter and song. 

Leicester would have relieved them, but 


THE FLOATI^TG BEIDGE 


115 


they had promised grandma they would not 
move around or change places in the boat 
until they had become more accustomed to 
nautical ways. 

But it was only a mile, after all, and they 
finally landed at Dolan^s Point, and guided 
the bow of their boat up on to the beach in a 
truly shipshape manner. Fairy sprang out 
with a bound that landed her on the dry sand ; 
Leicester followed, and then helped the ex- 
hausted but victorious galley-slaves to alight. 

Isn’t it glorious ! ” cried Dorothy, panting 
for breath, but aglow with happiness. 

Fine ! ” agreed Lilian, but she looked a 
little ruefully at eight blisters on her pink 
palms. 

“That’s all right,” said Leicester, cheer- 
fully ; “ you’ll get calloused after a while ; 
blisters always have to come first.” 

“ Oh, pooh, I don’t mind them a bit,” pro- 
tested Lilian ; for the Dorrances were all of 
a plucky disposition. 

On they went, following the directions 
given them by Mr. Hickox, and making 
wonderful explorations at every turn. 


116 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

Dolan^s Point seemed to be occupied princi- 
pally by a large boathouse. This belonged to 
a club-house, which was farther up the hill, 
and whose turrets and gables shining in the 
morning sunlight, looked like those of an old 
castle. 

Their way lay across the point, and then 
they were to cross a small arm of the lake by 
means of a bridge. 

Dorothy had hoped for a rustic bridge, and 
Leicester had told her that it would probably 
be two foot-planks and a hand-rail. 

But when they saw the bridge itself, they 
were really struck speechless with wonder 
and delight. It was a floating bridge, built 
of logs. It was perhaps eight feet wide, and 
was made by logs laid transversely and close 
together. They were held in place by im- 
mense iron chains which went alternately 
over and under the logs at their ends. Ex- 
cept at the sides of the bridge, the logs were 
not visible for they were covered with a deep 
layer of soil on which grew luxuriant green 
grass. The thick grass had been mowed and 
cared for until it resembled a soft velvet carpet. 


THE FLOATING BEIDGE 117 

On either side of the bridge was a hand-rail 
of rope, supported at intervals by wooden up- 
rights. The rope rails and the uprights were 
both covered with carefully trained vines. 
Among these were morning-glory vines, and 
their pink and purple blossoms made an ex- 
quisite floral decoration. 

Evidently the bridge was in charge of some- 
body who loved to care for it, and who en- 
joyed keeping it in order. 

“ Do you suppose we walk on it ? asked 
Fairy, with a sort of awe in her voice. 

Yes,” said Leicester. It must be meant 
for that ; but isnT it the most beautiful thing 
you ever saw I ” 

It certainly was, and the children stepped 
on to it gently, and walked slowly as one 
would walk in a church aisle. 

Although suspended at both ends, almost 
the whole length of the bridge rested on the 
water, and swayed gently with the rippling of 
the lake. It was a delicious sensation to walk 
on the unstable turf, and feel it move slightly 
under foot. 

As they advanced further, it seemed as if 


118 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

they were floating steadily along, and Fairy 
grasped Leicester’s hand with a little tremor. 
When they reached the middle of the bridge 
they all sat down on the grass, and discussed 
the wonderful affair. 

“ I shall spend most of my time here,” said 
Dorothy ; it seems to be public property, and 
I like it better than any park I have ever 
seen.” 

It’s lovely,” agreed Lilian ; “ I’d like to 
bring a book and sit. here all day and read.” 

“ But it’s so funny,” said Fairy ; “ it’s a 
bridge, and it’s a park, and it’s a garden, and 
it’s a front yard, — and yet all the time it’s a 
bridge.” 

“ Well, let’s go on,” said Leicester. I sup- 
pose it will keep, and we can walk back over 
it. And if we don’t get our marketing done, 
we’ll be like the old woman who didn’t get 
home in time to make her apple-dump- 
lings.” 

If she had found this bridge,” declared 
Dorothy, “ she never would have gone home 
at all, and her story would never have been 
told.” 


THE FLOATING BEIDGE 


119 


But they all scrambled up and went on 
merrily towards the grocery store. 

The store itself was a delight, as real 
country stores always are. Mr. Bill Hodges 
was a storekeeper of the affable type, and ex- 
pressed great interest in his new customers. 

He regaled them with ginger-snaps and 
thin slivers of cheese, which he cut off and 
proffered on the point of a huge shiny-bladed 
knife. This refreshment was very acceptable, 
and when he supplemented it with a glass of 
milk all around, Dorothy was so grateful that 
she felt as if she ought to buy out his whole 
stock. 

But putting on a most housewifely air, she 
showed Mr. Hodges her list of needs, and in- 
quired if he could supply them. 

Bless your heart, yes,’’ he replied. “ Bill 
Hodges is the man to purvide you with them 
things. Shall I send ’em to you?” 

'‘Oh, can you?” said Dorothy. “I didn’t 
know you delivered goods. I’d be glad if 
you would send the bag of flour and the 
potatoes, but most of the smaller things we 
can carry ourselves.” 


120 THE DOEEAI^CE DOMAIN 

Well I swan ! exclaimed Mr. Bill 
Hodges ; you’re real bright, you air. How 
did ye come over ? Walk ? ” 

“ No, sir,” said Leicester. We came in a 
rowboat ; and then walked across the Point 
and over the bridge. We think that bridge 
very wonderful.” 

And very beautiful,” added Lilian. 

Who keeps it so nice? ” 

And doesn’t it ever fall down in the 
water?” asked Fairy; “or doesn’t the mud 
wash off, or don’t people fall off of it and get 
drownded? and how do you cut the grass, 
and how do you water the flowers? It’s just 
like a conservatorory ! ” 

As Mr. Bill Hodges was something of a 
talker himself, he was surprised to be outdone 
in his own line by the golden-haired stranger- 
child, who, apparently without effort, reeled 
off such a string of questions. But as they 
referred to a subject dear to his heart he was 
delighted to answer them. 

“ That bridge, my young friends, is my joy 
and delight. Nobody touches that bridge, to 
take care of it, but Bill Hodges, — that’s me. 


THE FLOATING BEIDGE 


121 


I’m proud of that bridge, I am, and I don’t 
know what I’d do, if I didn’t have it to care 
for. I’m glad you like it ; I ain’t got nary 
chick nor child to run across it. So whenever 
you young folks feel like coming over to look 
at it. I’ll be pleased and proud to have ye ; 
pleased and proud, that’s what I’ll be ; so 
come early and come often, come one and 
come all.” 

“ We’ll bring our grandmother over to see 
it,” said Dorothy, “just as soon as we can 
manage to do so.” 

“ Do,” said Mr. Hodges, heartily. “ Bring 
her along, bring her along. Glad to Welcome 
her, I’m sure. Now I’ll go ’long and help 
you tote your bundles to your boat. I don’t 
have crowds of customers this time of day, 
and I can just as well go as not.” 

The kind-hearted old man filled a basket 
with their purchases, and trudged along be- 
side the children. 

“ Ain’t it purty ! ” he exclaimed as they 
crossed the bridge. “ Oh, ainH it purty ? ” 

“It is,” said Dorothy. “I don’t wonder 
you love it.” 


122 THE HOERANOE DOMAIN 

And there ain’t another like it in the 
whole world,” went on the prideful Hodges. 
“ Of course there are floating bridges, but no- 
wheres is there one as purty as this.” 

The children willingly agreed to this state- 
ment, and praised the bridge quite to the con- 
tent of its owner. 

Fish much ? ” Mr. Hodges inquired casu- 
ally of Leicester. 

'' Well, we haven’t yet. You see we only ar- 
rived yesterday, and we’re not fairly settled yet.” 

Find plenty of fishin’ tackle over to my 
place. Come along when you’re ready, and 
Bill Hedges’ll fit ye out. Pretty big proposi- 
tion,— you kids shakin’ around in that great 
empty hotel.” 

Yes, but we like it,” said Leicester ; it 
just suits us, and we’re going to have a fine 
time all summer.” 

Hope ye will, hope ye will. There ain’t 
been nobody livin’ there now for two sum- 
mers and I’m right down glad to have some- 
body into it.” 

Why do you suppose they couldn’t make 
it pay as a hotel ? ” asked Dorothy. 


THE FLOATING BEIDGE 123 

Well, it was most always the proprietor’s 
fault. Yes, it was the proprietor’s fault. 
Nice people would come up there to board, 
and then Harding, — he was the last fellow 
that tried to run it, — he wouldn’t treat ’em 
nice. He’d scrimp ’em, and purty nigh starve 
’em. Ye can’t keep boarders that way. And 
so of course the boarders kept leavin’, and so 
the hotel got a bad name, and so nobody 
wants to try a hand at it again.” 

When they reached the boat, Mr. Hodges 
stowed their basket away for them, helped the 
children in and pushed the boat off. 

With gay good-byes and promises to come 
soon again, the children rowed away. 

Leicester and Fairy took the oars this time, 
and Fairy’s comical splashing about made fun 
for them all. She soon declared she had 
rowed enough for one day, but Leicester 
proved himself well able to get the boat across 
the lake without assistance. 


CHAPTEE X 


THE HICKOXES AT HOME 

O N Wednesday morning Fairy declared 
her intention of visiting Mrs. Hickox. 
She carried her kitten with her, and 
danced gaily along the road, singing as she 
went. 

She found the house without any trouble, 
as it was the only one in sight ; and opening 
the front gate, she walked up the flower-bor- 
dered path to the house, still singing loudly. 
She wore the kitten around her neck as a sort 
of boa, and this seemed to be a satisfactory 
arrangement to all concerned, for the kitten 
purred contentedly. 

Fairy rapped several times at the front door, 
but there was no answer ; so she walked leis- 
urely around to the side of the house. There 
she saw another outside door, which seemed 
to open into a small room or ell attached to 
the house. She knocked at this door, and it' 

124 


THE HICKOXES AT HOME 125 

was opened by Mrs. Hickox herself, but such 
a different looking Mrs. Hickox from the one 
who had called on them, that Fairy scarcely 
recognized her. Her hair was done up in 
crimping pins, and she wore a short black 
skirt and a loose white sacque. 

“ Goodness me ! ’’ she exclaimed, have you 
come traipsing over here a’ready ? What’s the 
matter with your hotel, that you can’t stay 
in it?” 

“ There’s nothing a matter with the hotel, 
Mrs. Hickox,” said Fairy, amiably ; but I 
said I’d come to see you on Wednesday, and 
so I came. I’ve brought my kitten.” 

You’ve brought your kitten I for the land 
sake what did you do that for ? Don’t you 
know this is my milk-room ? The idea of a 
kitten in a milk-room! Well I am sur- 
prised I ” 

Oh, I think a milk-room is just the place 
for a kitten. Couldn’t you give her a lit- 
tle drink of milk, she’s awfully fond of 
it.” 

Why I s’pose I could give her a little. 
Such a mite of a cat wouldn’t want much ; 


126 


THE DOEEANCE HOMAI^^" 


but I do hate cats ; they’re sUch pestering crea- 
tures.” 

But this one doesn’t pester, Mrs. Hickox,” 
said Fairy, earnestly. '' She’s such a dear 
good little kitty. Her name is Mike.” 

“ What a ridiculous name ! I’m surprised 
that you should call her that.” 

It isn’t much of a name,” said Fairy, apol- 
ogetically. But you see it’s only tempora- 
neous. I couldn’t think of j ust the right name, 
so I just call her Mike, because that’s short 
for my kitten.” 

Mike ! short for my kitten ! Well so it 
is, but I never thought of it before.” 

All our other animals have regular 
names,” volunteered Fairy. Our dog, — his 
name’s Dare ; our two rabbits are Gog and 
Magog, — Leicester named them ; or at least he 
named one, and let Lilian name the other. 
They’re twins you know, — the rabbits, I mean. 
Then we have a canary bird and he’s named 
Bobab. That’s a nice name, isn’t it ? ” 

^‘Nice name? It’s heathenish! What a 
queer lot of children you are, anyway.” 

Yes, aren’t we ? ” said Fairy, agreeably. 


THE HICKOXES AT HOME 


127 


We Dorrances are all queer. I guess we in- 
heritated it from my grandpa’s people, because 
my grandma isn’t a bit queer.” 

“ Oh, isn’t she ? I think she’s queer to let 
you children come up here, and do what you 
are doing.” 

Oh, that isn’t queer. You only think my 
grandma queer because you don’t know her. 
Why, I used to think you quite queer before 
I knew you as well as I do now.” 

“You consider yourself well acquainted 
now, do you ? 

“ Oh, yes ; when anybody visits anybody 
sociaberly, like I do you, they know each 
other quite well. But I think it’s queer why 
you call this room a milk-room.” Fairy 
looked around at the shelves and tables which 
were filled with jars and pans and baskets, and 
receptacles of all sorts. The fioor was of 
brick, and the room was pleasantly cool, 
though the weather had begun to be rather 
warm. 

“ I call it a milk-room because that’s its 
name,” said Mrs. Hickox, shortly. 

“But why is that its name?” persisted 


128 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

Fairy. You keep everything else here as 
well as milk. Why don’t you call it the but- 
ter-room or the pie-room ? ” 

“ Oh, I don’t know. Don’t pester me so 
with your questions. Here’s a cookie ; now 
I’ll take you in the house, and show you the 
best room, and then you must go home. I 
don’t like to have little girls around very 
much. Come along, but don’t eat your cookie 
in the house ; you’ll make crumbs. Put it in 
your pocket until you get out of doors again.” 

I won’t pester,” said Fairy ; “ you just go 
on with your work, whatever you were doing, 
and I’ll play around by myself.” 

By yourself ! I guess you won’t ! Do you 
suppose I want a great girl like you rampoos- 
ing around my house ! I’ve seen you fly 
around ! You’d upset everything.” 

I expect I would, Mrs. Hickox,” said 
Fairy, laughing. “ I just certainly can’t sit 
still ; it gives me the widgets.” 

“ I guess I won’t take you into the best room 
after all, then. Like as not you’d knock the 
doves over.” 

“ Oh, do let me go ! What are the doves ? 


THE HICKOXES AT HOME 129 

ril promise not to knock them over, and 
ril hold Mike tight so she can’t get away. 
Oh, come, oh, come ; show me the best 
room ! ” 

As Mrs. Hickox’s parlor was the pride of 
her life, and as she rarely had opportunity to 
exhibit it to anybody, she was glad of even a 
child to show it to. So bidding Fairy be very 
careful not to touch a thing, she led her 
through the hall and opened the door of the 
sacred best room. 

It was dark inside, and it smelled a little 
musty. Mrs. Hickox opened one of the win- 
dow-blinds for the space of about two inches, 
but even while she was doing so. Fairy had 
flown around the room, and flung open all of 
the other window sashes and blinds. Then 
before Mrs. Hickox could find words to ex- 
press her wrath at this desecration, Fairy had 
begun a running fire of conversation which 
left her hostess no chance to utter a word. 

Oh, are these the doves ? How perfectly 
lovely ! ” she cried, pausing on tip-toe in front 
of a table on which was a strange- shaped urn 
of white alabaster, filled with gaily-colored 


130 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


artificial flowers. On opposite sides of the 
rim of the urn were two stuffed white doves, 
facing each other across the flowers. Where 
did you get them? Are they alive? Are 
they stuffed ? What are their eyes made of? 
Were they your grandmother’s ? Oh, one of 
them had his wing broken. You sewed it on 
again, didn’t you ? But the stitches show. 
My sister has some glue, white glue, that 
would fix that bird up just fine. When I 
come next Wednesdaj^^, I’ll bring that glue 
with me and we’ll rip off that wing and fix it 
up all right.” 

Well, I am surprised ! ” said Mrs. Hickox. 

What do children like you know about such 
things ? But still, if you think it would do 
well, I’d like to try it. I’ve got a newspaper 
clipping about that white glue, but I never 
saw any. Has your grandma unpacked her 
dress patterns yet? ” 

I don’t know,” said Fairy. “ I don’t 
think she has any. We never make our 
own dresses.” 

For the land sake ! Why I thought they 
looked home-made. Well I am surprised ! 



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THE HICKOXES AT HOME 


131 


But hurry up and see the room, for I want to 
get them shutters shut again.’’ 

Fairy didn’t see anything in the room that 
interested her greatly. The red-flowered car- 
pet, the stiff black horsehair chairs, and the 
marble-topped centre-table moved her neither 
to admiration nor mirth. 

I’ve seen it all, thank you,” she said. 

Do you want it shut up again ? What do 
you keep it so shut up for ? Do you like to 
have it all musty and damp ? I should think 
some of your newspaper clippings would tell 
you to throw open your windows and let in 
the fresh air and sunshine.” 

<< Why they do say that,” said Mrs. Hickox ; 
“ but of course I don’t take it to mean the 
best room.” 

We do,” said Fairy, dancing around from 
window to window as she shut the blinds. 

We have that great big parlor over at the 
Dorrance Domain flung wide open most of 
the time ; and the little parlors, too, and the 
dining-room and all our bedrooms.” 

“ Well, I am surprised ! ” said Mrs. Hickox. 

It must fade your carpets all out, doesn’t it ? ” 


132 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

I don^t know ; we haven’t been there 
three days yet, so of course they haven’t 
faded very much. I guess I must go home 
now. Leicester went out fishing this morn- 
ing, and Dorothy and Lilian went to market, 
and I’m just crazy to see what they’ve accu- 
merated.” 

Well, run along,” said Mrs. Hickox ; ^^and 
you can come again next Wednesday, but 
don’t bring your kitten the next time. When 
you do come again, I wish you’d bring 
some of that white glue you were talking 
about ; I would certainly like to try it. Here, 
wait a minute. I’ll give you some gum- 
drops ; then you’ll remember the glue, won’t 
you ? ” 

I’d remember it anyway, Mrs. Hickox ; 
but I do love candy, per-tickle-uly gum- 
drops.” 

Well, here’s three ; don’t eat them all 
to-day.” 

Thank you, Mrs. Hickox,” said Fairy, 
taking the three precious bits of candy. Then 
saying good-bye, she danced away with her 
kitten tucked under her arm. 


THE HICKOXES AT HOME 


133 


Shortly after Fairy's departure, M r. Hickox 
came dawdling along towards his own home. 

I do declare, Hickory Hickox, if you 
haven't been and wasted the whole morning, 
fooling with those Dorrance young ones ! 
Now what have you been doing ? " 

Oh, nothin' in particular. Just helpin' 
'em get settled a bit. Lookin' after their 
boats and things, and buildin' a little house 
for them rabbits of theirs. That Leicester, 
he's a smart chap ; handy with tools, and 
quick to catch on to anything." 

Well I am surprised ! Wasting a whole 
morning building a rabbit-coop ! " 

For the land's sake, Susan, it ain't wasted 
time. They pay me for all I do for 'em, and 
they pay me well, too." 

They're extravagant people. They have 
no business to hire you to work around so 
much, when you've got plenty to do at 
home." 

Oh, don't worry ; Hickox 'll look after 
things. It'll be all right." 

Though he spoke carelessly, Mr. Hickox 
was in reality much disturbed by his wife's 


134 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


sharp speeches. Long years of married life 
with her had not yet enabled his gentle, peace- 
loving nature to remain unruffled under her 
stormy outbursts of temper. He stood, un- 
consciously and nervously fumbling with a 
wisp of straw he had plucked from a near-by 
broom. 

^'Youhe shiftless and idle. Hickory, and 
you don’t know what’s good for yourself. 
Now do stop fiddling with that straw. First 
thing you know, you’ll be poking it in your 
ear. I cut out a newspaper clipping only yes- 
terday, about a man who poked a straw in 
his ear, and it killed him. That’s what you’ll 
come to some day.” 

“ No, I won’t.” 

Yes, you will ! But just you remember 
this safe rule : never put anything in your 
ear, but your elbow. But you’re so forgetful. 
I am surprised that a man can be as forgetful 
as you are I Throw that straw away, — it’s 
safer.” 

Yes, it’s safer, Susan,” and Mr. Hickox 
threw his straw away. And when you sit 
down to dinner, I hope you will tie yourself 


THE HICKOXES AT HOME 


135 


into your chair. You may not fall off, but 
it’s safer.” 

Mrs. Hickox gave her husband a scornful 
look, which was all the reply she usually 
vouchsafed to his occasional shafts of mild 
sarcasm. 

That big dog is a ridiculous extravagance,” 
she went on. He must eat as much as a 
man. I am surprised that people as poor 
as they are should keep such a raft of ani- 
mals.” 

Why the Dorrances aren’t poor.” 

Yes they are ; and if they aren’t they soon 
will be. Throwin’ open that great big house 
for them few people, is enough to ruin a mil- 
lionaire. That little girl says they use nearly 
every room in it.” 

So they do,” said Mr. Hickox, chuckling ; 
when I went over there this morning, they 
was every one in a different room ; happy as 
clams, and noisy as a brass band.” 

They’re a terrible lot ! I never saw any- 
thing like them.” 

That Dorothy is a smart one,” declared 
Mr. Hickox, with an air of great conviction. 


136 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

Some day she’ll set Lake Ponetcong on 
fire ! ” 

I wouldn’t be at all surprised,” said Mrs. 
Hickox, which was, all things considered, a 
remarkable statement. 


CHAPTER XI 


SIX INVITATIONS 

J UNE came, and found the Dorrance Do- 
main in full working order. The experi- 
ment seemed to be proving a complete 
success ; and the six people who lived in the 
big hotel were collectively and individually 
happy. 

Grandma Dorrance realized that all was 
well, and gave the children absolute liberty 
to do as they pleased from morning to night, 
feeling grateful that the circumstances per- 
mitted her to do this. Besides enjoying their 
happiness, the dear old lady was quite happy 
and contented on her own account. The de- 
lightful bracing air made her feel better and 
stronger ; and the entire freedom from care or 
responsibility quieted her nerves. 

Dorothy was complete mistress of the house. 
The responsibilities of this position had de- 
veloped many latent capabilities of her nature^ 

137 


138 


THE DOEEA^i^CE DOMAIN 


and she was daily proving herself a sensible, 
womanly girl, with a real talent for adminis- 
tration, and much executive ability. She was 
very kind to Tessie, realizing that the Irish 
girl had no friends or companions of her own 
class around her ; but Dorothy also preserved 
a certain dignified attitude, which became the 
relation of mistress and maid. She ordered 
the household affairs with good judgment, and 
was rapidly becoming an expert cook. This 
part of the domestic work specially appealed 
to her, and she thoroughly enjoyed concocting 
elaborate dishes for the delectation of her 
family. Sometimes these confections did not 
turn out quite right; but Dorothy was not 
discouraged, and cheerfully threw away the 
uneatable messes, and tried the same difficult 
recipes again, until she had conquered them. 

The flaw in Dorothy’s character was an 
over self-confidence ; but this was offset by her 
sunny good-humored disposition, and she gaily 
accepted the situation, when the others teased 
her about her failures. 

The days passed like beautiful dreams. 
The family rose late, as there was no special 


SIX INVITATIONS 


139 


reason why they should rise early. The 
children spent much time on the water in 
their rowboats, and also renewed their ac- 
quaintance with Captain Kane, who took 
them frequently for a little excursion in the 
Mamie Mead. 

But perhaps best of all, Dorothy liked the 
hours she spent lying in a hammock, reading 
or day-dreaming. 

She was fond of books, and had an ambi- 
tion to write poetry herself. This was not a 
romantic tendency, but rather a desire to ex- 
press in beautiful, happy language the joy of 
living that was in her heart. 

She rarely spoke of this ambition to the 
others, for they did not sympathize with it, 
and frankly expressed very positive opinions 
that she was not a poet and never would be. 
Indeed, they said that Fairy had more im- 
agination and poetic temperament then Doro- 
thy. 

Dorothy was willing to agree to this, for 
she in no way over-estimated her own talent, 
— she was merely acutely conscious of her 
great desire to write things. 


140 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

So often for a whole afternoon she would 
lie in a hammock under the trees, looking 
across the lake at the hills and the sky, and 
assimilating the wonderful beauty of it all. 
This dreamy side of Dorothy^s nature seemed 
to be in sharp contrast to her practical ener- 
getic power of work ; it also seemed incongru- 
ous with her intense love of fun and her en- 
joyment of noisy, rollicking merriment. 

But these different sides reacted on each 
other, and combined with Dorothy’s natural 
frankness and honesty, made a sweet and 
wholesome combination. Had Dorothy been 
an only child, she might have been given too 
much to solitude and introspection ; but by 
the counteracting influences of her diverting 
family, and her care of their welfare, she was 
saved from such a fate. 

One day she was suddenly impressed with a 
conviction that Grandma Dorrance must often 
feel lonely, and that something ought to be 
done to give her some special pleasure. 

We all have each other,” said Dorothy to 
the other children, but grandma can’t go 
chasing around with us, and she ought to 


SIX INVITATIONS 


141 


have somebody to amuse her, at least for a 
time. So I think it would be nice to invite 
Mrs. Thurston up here to spend a week with 
us.’’ 

Mrs. Thurston was a lifelong friend of Mrs. 
Dorrance^s, and moreover was a lady greatly 
liked by the Dorrance children. 

It would be very nice,’’ said grandma, 
much gratified by Dorothy’s thoughtfulness ; 
‘‘ I don’t really feel lonely, you know ; it isn’t 
that. But I would enjoy having Mrs. Thurs- 
ton here for a time, and I am sure she would 
enjoy it too.” 

Hooray for Mrs. Thurston ! ” shouted 
Leicester ; “ and say. Dot, I’d like to have com- 
pany too. S’pose we ask Jack Harris to come 
up for a few days. I’m the only boy around 
these parts, and I declare I’d like to have a 
chum. Meaning no slight to my revered 
sisters.” 

I want Gladys Miller,” said Fairy. The 
twins have each other, and Dorothy has 
grandma, but I don’t seem to have any little 
playmate, ’cept Mrs. Hickox, and she’s so 
s upernumerated. ’ ’ 


142 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


They all laughed at this, but Dorothy said, 
“ Why, well each invite one guest. That’s a 
fine idea ! There’s plenty of room, and as to 
the extra work, if we all do a little more each 
day, it won’t amount to much. I’ll ask Edith 
Putnam, and Lilian, of course, you’ll want 
May Lewis.” 

“ Yes, of course,” cried Lilian ; I’d love to 
have May up here. I never once thought of 
it before.” 

‘‘ I’ll tell you what ! ” exclaimed Leicester. 
“Now here’s a really brilliant idea. Let 
Tessie invite some friend of hers too, and then 
she can help you girls with the work.” 

“ That is a good idea,” said Grandma Dor- 
rance, approvingly. “ We’d have to have 
extra help, with so many more people, and if 
Tessie has any friend who would like to come 
for a week, it would be very satisfactory. Of 
course we will pay her wages.” 

“ Wowly-wow-wow ! ” exclaimed Leicester ; 
“ won’t we have rackets I I say. Dot, give 
Jack that other tower room, right over mine, 
will you? He’d like it first-rate.” 

“ Yes, and we’ll give Mrs. Thurston that big 


SIX IXYITATIOXS 


143 


pleasant room next to grandma’s. Tessie 
and I will begin to-day to get the rooms 
ready.” 

“ Hold on, sis, don’t go too fast ; you haven’t 
had any acceptances yet to the invitations you 
haven’t yet sent ! ” 

No, but they’ll all come fast enough ; 
we’ll each write to-day, and we’ll tell the 
people to get together, and all come up in a 
bunch,” said Lilian. ‘‘ I know May Lewis’s 
mother wouldn’t let her come alone, but with 
Mrs. Thurston, it will be all right.” 

And Captain Kane can bring the whole 
crowd up from the station,” said Leicester ; 
“and we’ll row down to the lock to meet 
them. And we’ll have flags and bonflres and 
Chinese lanterns for a celebration. There’s 
lots of Chinese lanterns up in one of the store- 
rooms, — we’ll just have to get some candles. 
Jiminy ! won’t it be fun ! ” 

“ Perhaps it will be too hard on you, Doro- 
thy,” said Mrs. Dorrance ; “ doubling the 
family means a great deal of extra cooking, 
you know.” 

“ Oh, that will be all right, grannymother ; 


144 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


and perhaps the lady Tessie invites will be 
able to help out with the cooking.'^ 

“ Gladys’s room must be next to mine,” said 
Fairy, so we can be sociarbubble. I shall 
take her to see Mrs. Hickox the first thing, 
and she’ll proberly give us two gum-drops 
apiece.” 

Fairy’s friendship with Mrs. Hickox was a 
standing joke in the family, and that lady’s 
far from extravagant gifts of confectionery 
caused great hilarity among the younger 
Dorrances. 

Full of their new project, they all flew to 
write their letters of invitation, and within an 
hour the six missives were ready, and Leices- 
ter volunteered to row over to Woodville with 
them. Tessie was delighted at the prospect, 
when Dorothy explained it to her. 

Shure, I’ll ask me mother,” she exclaimed ; 
she’s afther bein’ a fine cook. Miss Dorothy, 
an’ yez’ll niver regret the day she comes. In- 
dade, she can turn her hand to annythin’.” 

Although Tessie was a superior type of Irish 
girl, and usually spoke fairly good English, 
when excited, she always dropped into a 


SIX IXVITATIOXS 


145 


rich brogue which greatly delighted the chil- 
dren. 

Just the thing, Tessie ; write for your 
mother at once, or I’ll write for you, if you 
like, and I hope she’ll come up with the rest 
of them.” 

“ Shure, she will, Miss Dorothy ; she lives 
all alone an’ she can come as aisy as not. An’ 
she’s that lonesome for me, you wouldn’t 
believe ! Och, but she’ll be glad of the 
chance.” 

Feeling sure that most if not all of their 
guests would accept the invitations, Dorothy, 
Lilian and Tessie, — more or less hindered by 
Fairy, who tried hard to help, — spent the 
afternoon arranging the bedrooms. It was a 
delightful task, for everything that was 
needed seemed to be at hand in abundance. 
The hotel when built, had been most lavishly 
and elaborately furnished, even down to the 
smallest details. The successive proprietors 
had apparently appreciated the value of the 
appointments, and had kept them in perfect 
order and repair. Moreover, as their suc- 
cessive seasons had been a continuous series 


146 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


of failures, and few guests had stayed at the 
hotel, there had been little wear and tear. 

Although Mrs. Hickox had not lost her 
grudging demeanor regarding her eggs and 
vegetables, yet Fairy was able to wheedle some 
flowers from her now and then, with the re- 
sult that the Dorrance Domain had assumed 
a most attractive and homelike general effect. 

Of course, the individual rooms showed the 
taste and hobbies of their several owners ; 
while the large parlor which the family had 
come to use as a general living-room had en- 
tirely lost all resemblance to a hotel parlor, 
and had become the crowning glory of the 
Dorrance Domain. The Dorrances had a way 
of leaving the impress of their personality 
upon all their belongings ; and since the big 
hotel belonged to them, it had necessarily 
grown to look like their home. 

I think,’' said Dorothy, if they all come, 
it would be nicer to use the big dining-room.” 

And the little tables,” cried Fairy ; two 
at each one, you know. Me and Gladys at 
one, and Leicester and Jack at another, and 
grandma and ” 


SIX IXVITATIOXS 


147 


Oh, no, Fairy,’^ said grandma, that 
wouldn’t be nice at all. It wouldn’t even be 
polite. Use the big dining-room, if you wish, 
but let us all sit at one table. Surely, you 
can find a table big enough for ten.” 

“ Oh, yes,” cried Leicester ; “ there are a lot 
of great big round table-tops in the storeroom. 
They’re marked ‘ banquet tables ’ ; one of those 
will be just the thing.” 

^^What do you do with a table-top, if it 
doesn’t have any legs?” asked Fairy. ‘‘Do 
you put it on the fioor, and all of us sit on the 
floor around it, like turkeys ? ” 

“ I suppose you mean Turks,” said Leices- 
ter, instructively ; “ but no, we don’t arrange 
it just that way. We simply put the big 
round table-top on top of the table we are 
now using, and there you are ! ” 

“ It will be beautiful,” said Dorothy. “I 
do love a round table. You can make it look 
so lovely with flowers and things. I hope 
they’ll all come.” 

Dorothy’s hopes were fulfilled, and every 
one of the six who were invited sent a de- 
lighted acceptance. Tessie’s mother, perhaps, 


148 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


expressed the most exuberant pleasure, but all 
seemed heartily glad to come. 

They were invited for a week, and were ex- 
pected to arrive one Thursday afternoon at 
about four o’clock. 

Vast preparations had been made, for every 
one was interested especially in one guest, 
and each made ready in some characteristic 
way. 

Dorothy, as housekeeper, spent all her en- 
ergies on the culinary preparations. She de- 
lighted the heart of Mr. Bill Hodges by her 
generous orders, and she and Tessie had con- 
cocted a pantry-full of good things for the ex- 
pected visitors. 

Lilian had put the hotel in apple-pie order, 
and given finishing touches to the guests’ 
rooms, and Fairy had performed her part by 
inducing Mrs. Hickox to let them have an 
extra lot of fiowers. These flowers were all of 
old-fashioned varieties which grew luxuri- 
antly in Mrs. Hickox’s garden ; and arranged 
with Lilian’s exquisite taste, and by her deft 
fingers, they made really lovely decorations 
for parlor, dining-room and bedrooms. 


CHAPTEE XII 


GUESTS FOR ALL 

A S the guests would reach the Dorrance 
Domain by daylight, Leicester's plan 
of illuminating the grounds was 
scarcely feasible. But he had hung the 
Chinese lanterns on the veranda, and among 
the trees, and had put candles inside them, so 
they could light them up, and have their 
celebration in the evening. 

It was arranged that the twins should row 
down to meet the Mamie Mead and then get 
on board, and escort the guests up the lake, 
towing their own rowboat. 

Dorothy preferred to stay at home, to at- 
tend to some last important details in the 
kitchen, and Fairy said she would sit with 
grandma on the veranda, and await the arri- 
val. 

Soon after four o'clock. Fairy ran into the 
house screaming to Dorothy that the Mamie 

149 


150 THE DOEEAI^CE DOMAIN 

Mead was in sight. This gave Dorothy ample 
time to run up-stairs for a final brush to her 
hair, and a final adjustment of her ribbons, 
and there was no air of a fiurried or per- 
turbed housekeeper about the calm and grace- 
ful girl who sauntered out on the veranda to 
greet her guests. 

Fairy danced half-way down the steps to 
the dock, and then danced back again hand- 
in-hand with Gladys Miller. The others 
came up more slowly, and Grandma Dorrance 
rose with pleasure to welcome her dear friend 
Mrs. Thurston. 

Then there was a general chorus of excited 
greetings all around. 

The newcomers were so astonished and de- 
lighted at the novelty of the situation, that 
they could not restrain their enthusiasm ; and 
the residents of the Dorrance Domain were so 
proud and happy to offer such unusual hospi- 
tality, that they too, were vociferously jubi- 
lant. 

But the stranger among the newcomers was 
of such appalling proportions that Dorothy 
couldn’t help staring in amazement. 


GUESTS FOE ALL 


151 


Tessie’s mother was quite the largest woman* 
she had ever seen, and Dorothy privately be- 
lieved that she must be the largest woman in 
the whole world. She was not only very tall, 
and also very broad, but she had an immense 
frame, and her muscles seemed to indicate a 
powerfulness far beyond that of an ordinary 
man. 

To this gigantic specimen of femininity Dor- 
othy advanced, and said pleasantly : I sup- 
pose this is Kathleen ? 

Yis, mum ; an’ it’s proud I am to be wid 
yez. The saints presarve ye, fur a foine young 
lady ! An’ wud yez be’s afther showin’ me to 
me daughter ? Och, ’tis there she is ! Tessie, 
me darlint, is it indade yersilf ? ” 

Tessie had caught sight of her mother, and 
unable to control her impatience had run to 
meet her. Though Tessie was a fair-sized girl 
she seemed to be quite swallowed up in the 
parental embrace. Her mother’s arms went 
’round her, and Leicester exclaimed, invol- 
untarily, “ Somebody ought to rescue Tessie ! 
she’ll have every bone cracked ! ” 

But she finally emerged, unharmed and 


152 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

beaming with happiness, and then she led 
her mother away to the kitchen, the big 
woman radiating joy as she went. 

She jars the earth,’’ said Jack Harris ; as 
long as she’s on this side, the lake is liable to 
tip up, and flood this place of yours. But I 
say. Less, what a magnificent place it is ! Do 
you run the whole shooting-match ? ” 

“ Yes, we do,” said Leicester, trying to look 
modest and unostentatious. It isn’t really 
too big, that is, — I mean, — we like it big.” 

Like it? I should think you would like 
it! It’s just the greatest ever! I say, take 
me in the house, and let me see that, will 
you ? ” 

The girls wanted to go too, and so leaving 
the elder ladies to chat on the veranda, the 
children ran in, and the Dorrance Domain 
was exhibited to most appreciative admirers. 

Jack Harris was eager to see it all ; and 
even insisted on going up through the sky- 
light to the roof. This feat had not before 
been thought of by the Dorrance children, 
and so the whole crowd clambered up the 
narrow flight of stairs that led to the sky- 


GUESTS FOE ALL 


153 


light, and scrambled out on the roof. Dor- 
othy’s dignity was less observable just now, 
and she and Edith Putnam romped and 
laughed with the other children as if they 
were all of the same age. The view from 
the roof was beautiful, and the place really 
possessed advantages as a playground. There 
was a railing all around the edge, and though 
the gables were sloping, many parts of the 
roof were flat, and Jack declared it would be 
a lovely place to sit on a moonlight night. 

Then down they went again, and showing 
the guests to their various rooms, made them 
feel that at last they were really established 
in the Dorrance Domain. This naturally 
broke the party up into couples, and Leicester 
carried Jack off to his own room first, to show 
him the many boyish treasures that he had 
already accumulated. 

Fairy flew around, as Jack Harris expressed 
it, “ like a hen with her head off,” and every- 
where Fairy went, she dragged the more 
slowly moving Gladys after her, by one hand. 
Gladys was devoted to Fairy, and admired 
her thistledown ways ; but being herself a 


154 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

fat, stolid child, could by no means keep up 
to Fairy’s pace. 

Dorothy took Edith Putnam to her room, 
and being intimate friends the two girls sat 
down together, and became so engrossed in 
their chat, that when nearly a half-hour later, 
Lilian and May Lewis came in to talk with 
them, Edith had not yet even taken off her 
hat. 

Although dear friends of the Dorrances’, 
Edith and May were of very different types. 

Edith Putnam was a round, rosy girl, very 
pretty and full of life and enthusiasm. She 
was decidedly comical, and kept the girls 
laughing by her merry retorts. She was 
bright and capable, but disinclined for hard 
work, and rather clever in shifting her share 
of it to other people’s shoulders. 

May Lewis, on the other hand, was a plain, 
straightforward sort of girl ; not dull, but a 
little diffident, and quite lacking in self- 
confidence. Not especially quick-witted, — 
yet what she knew, she knew thoroughly, 
and had no end of perseverance and persist- 
ence. She was of a most unselfish and help- 


GUESTS FOE ALL 


155 


ful disposition, and Lilian well knew that 
without asking, May would assist her at her 
household tasks during the visit, and would 
even do more than her share. 

Dorothy frankly explained to the girls what 
the household arrangements were in the Dor- 
rance Domain, and said, that since certain 
hours of the day must be devoted to regular 
work by the Dorrance sisters, the guests would 
at such times be thrown upon their own re- 
sources for entertainment. 

Not 1 1 ’’ cried Edith ; “ I shall help you, 
Dorothy, in everything you have to do while 
I’m here. Indeed, I just think I’ll do up 
your chores for you, and let you take a rest. 
I’m sure you need one. Not that you look 
so ; I never saw you look so fat and rosy in 
your life ; but you mustn’t work too hard just 
because you have company. You mustn’t do 
a single thing extra for us, will you ? ” 

“ You mustn’t dictate to your hostess, miss,” 
returned Dorothy, gaily ; ‘‘ and I hardly think 
you can assist me very much, for I look after 
the cookery part, and I think you’ve given me 
to understand that you detest cooking. Also, 


166 


THE DOEEANOE DOMAIN 


I most certainly shall do extra things while 
you’re here. It is my pleasure to entertain 
my guests properly,” and Dorothy smiled in 
her most grown-up manner. 

Good gracious ! Dorothy Dorrance, did 
your manners come with your Domain, or 
where did you get that highfalutin air of 
yours ? ” 

Oh, that was put on purposely to impress 
you with my importance,” said Dorothy, 
dimpling into a little girl again. But truly, 
I must skip down to the kitchen now, and see 
if my Parker House rolls are rising, rose or 
having risen. No, you can’t come, Edith ; 
you’d spoil the rolls, — though you’d do it in 
a most well-meaning way. Now you girls all 
go out, and disport yourselves on the lawn, 
while I do my noble duty. Though I’m free 
to confess I’m scared to death of that awe- 
inspiring mother-person that Tessie has im- 
ported.” 

I think she’ll be helpful,” said May Lewis. 

She came up with us you know, and really 
she’s wonderful. She looked after us all, and 
she’s as funny as a red wagon.” 


GUESTS FOR ALL 


157 


“ Red wagon ! exclaimed Edith ; “ she's 
nearer the size of a red automobile, and she 
has the same kind of energy that automobiles 
are said to have. I don’t own one myself, so 
1 don’t know.” 

“ I don’t own one either,” said Dorothy, 

so I don’t know how to manage one. But I 
suppose I must make a try at managing 
the bulky Kathleen, — so I may as well 
start.” 

The whole troop ran down the wide stair- 
case, except Fairy, who slid down the banis- 
ter, and leaving the others in the hall, Doro- 
thy ran away to the kitchen. 

There she found Kathleen proceeding in a 
manner quite in accordance with her appear- 
ance. She had assumed immediate and entire 
charge of the supper preparations, and was 
ordering Tessie about in a good-natured, but 
domineering way. 

Lave me have a bit o’ red pepper, darlint,” 
she was saying, as Dorothy came in ; this 
dhressin’ is flat for the want of it. Ah, Miss 
Dorothy, is that you, thin ? an’ I’m jist afther 
shlappin’ together yer salad-dhressin’. I ob- 


158 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

sarved the things all shtandin^ ready an' I 
whacked 'em up." 

'' Why, that was very kind of you, 
Kathleen," said Dorothy ; “ it has helped 
me a great deal. Where are my rolls, 
Tessie ? " 

“ They was risin' too fast, miss," said Kath- 
leen, entirely ignoring her daughter’s pres- 
ence, an' I set 'em in the pantry forninst, to 
kape 'em back." 

Good for you, Kathleen ! you're a jewel. 
I was afraid those things would get too light. 
Now, if you'll get them for me. I’ll mould 
them over." 

“ Shure, I moulded them over, miss. 
They’re all ready to bake, an' it's Kathleen 
as'll bake 'em for ye.” 

“ Well," said Dorothy, laughing, there 
doesn't seem to be anything left for me to do. 
Will you dress the salad, Kathleen ? ” 

I will that, miss ! Now don’t bother yer 
purty head anny more about the supper. 
Shure, it's Kathleen will attind to it all, in- 
toirely. This shcapegrace, Tessie, will show 
me where things do be, an' yez needn't show 


GUESTS FOE ALL 


159 


SO much as the tip av yer nose, until it’s all 
on the table.” 

Kathleen, you’re an angel in disguise, and 
not much disguised at that. Now look here, 
I’m very practical, and if you’re going to stay 
here a week, we may as well understand each 
other from the start. I’d be delighted to leave 
this supper entirely in your hands ; but are you 
sure that you can do everything satisfactorily? 
I’m rather particular, as Tessie can tell you, 
and to-night, I want everything especially 
nice, and well-served, in honor of my guests.” 

** Now, there’s talk for ye ! You’re the right 
kind of a lady to wurruk for. But, ye need 
have niver a fear ; Kathleen ’ll do iverything 
jist as foine as yersilf or yer lady grandmother 
cud be afther desirin’.” 

“ Very well, Kathleen, I shall trust you 
with the whole affair then. You can broil 
chickens, of course? ” 

To a turrn, miss.” Kathleen’s large face 
was so expressive as she said this (and there 
was so much room on her face for expression), 
that Dorothy felt no further doubts as to the 
chickens. 


160 THE DOEEAT^CE DOMAIN 

She ran from the kitchen, laughing, and 
joined the group on the veranda. 

“ I’m a lady of leisure,” she announced 
gaily ; that large and altogether delightful 
piece of architecture, called Kathleen, insists 
upon cooking the supper, over which I had 
expected to spend a hard-working hour.” 

Jolly for Kathleen ! ” exclaimed Leicester, 
throwing his cap high in the air, and catch- 
ing it on his head ; “I do hate to have Dot 
working for her living, while we’re all enjoy- 
ing ourselves.” 

“ Jolly for Kathleen ! ” echoed Jack Har- 
ris ; the lady of magnificent distances.” 

And though Grandma Dorrance did not 
join audibly in the general hurrah, she was 
no less glad that her pretty Dorothy was re- 
lieved from household drudgery on that par- 
ticularly merry occasion. 


CHAPTEE XIII 


AN UNWELCOME LETTER 

T he week at the Dorrance Domain 
passed all too quickly, in the opinion 
of the happy young people. 

There was so much to do, and every day 
seemed to bring new pleasures. The weather 
was of the most beautiful June variety, and 
the lake was as smooth as glass and most 
pleasant to ride upon. 

One day they all went out in rowboats, and 
called themselves a regatta. ' Another day. 
Captain Kane took them all for a sail in the 
Mamie Mead. 

But perhaps the nicest outing of all, was 
the day they had a picnic on the floating 
bridge. They carried their luncheon, and 
camped out on the bridge to eat it. Mr. Bill 
Hodges was delighted to grant them permis- 
sion to do this, and brought them some fruit 

from his store as an addition to their feast. 

161 


162 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


“ It^s the strangest thing,” said Edith Put- 
nam, to be on the land and on the water at 
the same time. Here we are, sitting on what 
seems to be good solid grass and earth ; and 
yet if you dug a hole in it, you^d strike the 
lake right away.” 

You’d strike logs first,” corrected Jack 
Harris ; but if you bored through the logs 
you’d come to the water.” 

It’s perfectly lovely to feel the little sway- 
ing motion,” said May Lewis, who in her quiet 
way was greatly enjoying the novel experi- 
ences. I shall hate to go back to the city. 
How I envy you, Lilian, with a whole sum- 
mer of this before you.” 

But you’re going away with your mother, 
next month, aren’t you ? ” 

Yes ; but we’ll be cooped up in one or two 
little rooms at some seashore place ; it is very 
different from having a whole hotel all to 
yourself.” 

“ Indeed it is,” said Dorothy ; we certainly 
did the wisest thing when we came up here 
this summer. And now that Kathleen is 
here, I have almost nothing to do in the 


AN UNWELCOME LETTER 


163 


kitchen, and the rest of the housework that I 
do have to look after is so light that I don’t 
mind it a bit.” 

“ That’s because you’re so clever,” said 
Edith, sighing ; you’re systematic and or- 
derly, and have everything arranged just so. 
I don’t see how you do it. I should forget 
half the things, and get the other half all 
mixed up.” 

“ I believe you would,” said Dorothy, 
laughing. And I did get somewhat mixed 
up at first. But I learned by experience, and 
besides I was just determined that I would suc- 
ceed. Because I proposed the whole scheme, 
and of course, I wanted it to be a success.” 

“ And it is a success,” returned Edith ; 
and you have made it so. You have lots of 
perseverance in your nature, Dorothy.” 

It’s nice of you to call it by that name,” 
said Dorothy ; but I think it’s just stubborn- 
ness. I’ve always been stubborn.” 

We all are,” said Leicester ; it’s a Dor- 
rance trait. Grandmother hasn’t much of it, 
but Grandfather Dorrance was a most deter- 
mined old gentleman.” 


164 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

There^s only one thing that's bothering 
me, about our good times,” said Dorothy. 

And that is, that grandma can’t enjoy them 
as much as we do. She doesn’t care about 
going in the boats, and she can’t take the long 
walks that we can.” 

It would be nice if you had a horse,” said 
May ; “ then she could go for a drive some- 
times.” 

That would be lovely,” agreed Dorothy ; 
but I know we couldn’t afford to buy a 
horse. We haven’t very much money. 
That’s the main reason we came up here, be- 
cause grandma said we couldn’t afford to go 
to the places we used to go to.” 

“ But you might hire a horse,” suggested 
Jack ; “ you have a barn.” 

Yes, there is a small barn,” said Leicester. 
“ I think it would be great to hire a horse ; 
that wouldn’t cost much. Dot.” 

No,” said Dorothy, I don’t believe it 
would. But who’d take care of the horse, 
and who’d drive grandma around ? ” 

'' Why, I can drive,” said Leicester, '' or if 
grandma wouldn’t trust me, Mr. Hickox could 


AN UNWELCOME LETTER 165 

drive her. He could take care of the horse, 
too.” 

It’s a good idea,” said Dorothy ; “ let’s go 
and ask Mr. Hodges about it now ; he always 
knows about things of that sort.” 

The whole crowd scrambled to their feet, 
and ran gaily towards Mr. Hodges’ place. 
They were not surprised, when he declared he 
had just the thing for them. A fat, amiable 
old horse, who was well accustomed to the 
steep mountain roads, and guaranteed per- 
fectly safe ; also a light road-wagon that 
would hold four, and that was very easy and 
comfortable. He would rent them this turn- 
out for ten dollars a week, and he declared 
that they would find it most convenient ; not 
only for pleasure drives, but for going to 
market or other errands. Indeed, he said, that 
the proprietor who had last tried to run the 
hotel, had engaged that horse for the season. 

It struck Dorothy as a good plan ; and 
being alwa^^'s quick at decisions, she agreed 
then and there to take the horse and carriage 
for a week, saying she felt sure that Grandma 
Dorrance would approve. 


166 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

Leicester said he would drive it home, and 
any of the girls who wished to, could go with 
him, the rest going back in the boats. Doro- 
thy said she would go with him, as she 
wanted to tell grandma about it herself. 

As Fairy expressed a great desire to ride 
behind the new horse, she and Gladys were 
tucked in the back seat, and they started off. 

Such a ride as it was. The hills were very 
steep, “ perfectly perpendickle,” Fairy called 
them, and if the old horse had not known 
just how to walk on the mountain roads, 
accidents might very easily have happened. 

As it was they reached home safely, and 
drove up triumphantly to the Dorrance Do- 
main where grandma and Mrs. Thurston were 
sitting on the veranda. 

As the children had surmised, grandma 
was delighted with the opportunity to drive 
about, but said that she would feel safer if Mr. 
Hickox held the reins. 

As Mr. Hickox was never very far away, he 
had observed the horse’s arrival, and came 
over to inquire into the matter. 

The explanation pleased him, and he said 


AN UNWELCOME LETTEE 167 

amiably, “ Don’t worry. Hickox ’ll look 
after the horse ; it’ll be all right.” 

So Grandma Dorrance arranged with Mr. 
Hickox, by an addition to the payment they 
made him for his various services, to take care 
of the horse, and to drive them whenever they 
might require him to. Then she and Mrs. 
Thurston planned to go for a drive that very 
afternoon. 

As the Dorrance children were fond of all 
animals, the horse at once became a great pet, 
and though the elder ladies never went out 
except with Mr. Hickox, the young people 
went early and often, and both Dorothy and 
Leicester soon learned to be good and careful 
drivers. 

With another diversion added to their cata- 
logue of pleasures, the days flew by faster than 
ever, and although the guests stayed a fort- 
night instead of only a week, everybody was 
sorry when the day came for them to depart. 

It has been all pleasure,” said Dorothy, 
and not a bit of trouble ; for you all made 
yourselves so handy and helpful that it was 
just like one big family.” 


168 THE DOEEA]srCE DOMAIN 

It has been a great treat to me/' said Mrs. 
Thurston. I have enjoyed every minute of 
it, and I have improved wonderfully in health 
and strength. I think you are a wonder, 
Dorothy ; not many girls of sixteen have your 
powers of management. It is a gift, just as 
other talents are, and you not only possess it, 
but you have appreciated and improved it." 

Dorothy blushed at Mrs. Thurston’s kind 
praise, and inwardly resolved, that since Mrs. 
Thurston considered her household capability 
a talent, she certainly would endeavor to culti- 
vate and improve it. 

So the guests all went away, except Kath- 
leen. 

She begged so hard to be allowed to stay for 
a time longer, that Mrs. Dorrance consented. 

Shure, it isn’t the wages I do be afther 
wantin’, mum, but I likes to shtay here, an’ 
I’ll do all the wurruk for me boord.’’ 

This seemed a fair arrangement, as Kath- 
leen really wanted to stay with her daughter, 
and the Dorrances were very glad of the big 
woman’s services. She was an indefatigable 
worker, and really seemed to enjoy all sorts 


AN UNWELCOME LETTEE 


169 


of hard work. She would rise early in the 
morning, and wash windows or scrub floors 
before breakfast time. She was so capable and 
willing, that it seemed as if she fairly took 
charge of the entire family ; and she was so 
large and strong that no hard work baffled 
her, and no exertion tired her. 

Although the Dorrances naturally missed 
their guests, yet when they were alone again 
they were by no means lonely. They were a 
host in themselves ; the children were con- 
genial and thought there was nobody quite so 
nice as each other. 

The days went by happily, and each one 
only made them more glad that they owned 
the Dorrance Domain and that they had come 
to live in it. 

It was the third week in June when 
Grandma Dorrance received a letter from Mr. 
Lloyd, the contents of which were far from 
pleasant. 

She called the children together in the great 
parlor, which they had come to use as a liv- 
ing-room, and her pale face quite frightened 
Dorothy. 


170 THE DOEEAi^CE DOMAIN 

What is the matter, grannymother dear ? 
she said. “ Has Mr. Lloyd found some one 
who wants to rent the hotel, and must we va- 
cate at once? 

“ Oh, don’t mention such a calamity as 
that,” cried Leicester ; if a man came up 
here to rent this hotel I should tell him to 
march right straight back again. The house 
is engaged for the season.” 

“ It’s far worse than that, children dear,” 
said grandma ; “ Mr. Lloyd tells me in his 
letter that a great deal of repairing is neces- 
sary in the Fifty-eighth Street house. This 
will cost a great deal of money, and I have 
not enough to pay the bills.” 

Mrs. Dorrance looked so pathetically help- 
less as she made this admission, that Dorothy 
flew to her and kissed her, exclaiming. 
Don’t worry, grandma dear, it must all come 
out right somehow, for you know we are sav- 
ing money this summer.” 

I’m not so sure of that, Dorothy ; I’m 
afraid we’ve been rather extravagant of late. 
Having so much company for a fortnight, 
was really very expensive ; and the horse 


AK UNWELCOME LETTER 171 

is an added expense, and the two servants, 
— and altogether I feel quite sure we have 
spent more money than we could well af- 
ford/^ 

I never once thought of it, grandma,^’ 
said Dorothy ; I just ordered the things that 
I thought it would be nice to have, and I 
didn’t realize how the bills would count up. 
Are they very big ? ” 

“ Yes,” said Mrs. Dorrance. “ Mr. Hodges’ 
bill is quite three times as much as I had 
allowed for it ; and I owe Mr. Hickox as 
much more. He has done a great deal of 
work for us, you know, and of course he 
must be paid.” 

Oh, isn’t it dreadful,” said Lilian, “ to 
have our lovely summer spoiled by money 
troubles ! ” 

At this Fairy began to cry. The Dorrances 
didn’t often cry, but when they did, they did 
it quite as noisily as they did everything else ; 
and Fairy’s manner of weeping, was to open 
her mouth as widely as possible in a succession 
of loud wails, at the same time digging her 
fists into her eyes. 


172 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

She presented such a ridiculous picture that 
the children couldn’t help laughing. 

Do stop that hullaballoo, baby,” implored 
Leicester, or we’ll be so anxious to get rid of 
you that we’ll offer you to Mr. Bill Hodges 
in settlement of his account.” 

Fairy was not seriously alarmed by this 
awful threat, but she stopped crying, because 
she had suddenly thought of a way out of the 
difficulty. 

“ I’ll tell you how we can get some money,” 
she said earnestly ; sell the horse ! ” 

The other children laughed at this, but 
Grandma Dorrance said gently, We can’t do 
that, dear, for the horse isn’t ours. We can’t 
sell the hotel, for nobody seems to want it ; so 
I can’t see any way by which we can get any 
money except to sell the Fifty-eighth Street 
house.” 

The children looked aghast at this, for it 
was their cherished dream some day to return 
to the big city house to live. They didn’t 
quite know how this was to be accomplished, 
but they had always thought that when 
Leicester began to earn money, or perhaps if 


AN UNWELCOME LETTEE 173 

Dorothy became an author, they would be 
able to return to the old home. 

And so Grandma Dorrance’s announcement 
fell on them like a sudden and unexpected 
blighting of their hopes. 


CHAPTEE XIV 


FINANCIAL PLANS 

D orothy felt it the most. As the 
oldest, she had the greatest sense of 
responsibility, and she felt that she 
ought in some way to amend the family for- 
tunes, but just how she did not know. She 
well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn 
any money without being especially trained 
in some branch of usefulness ; and she had 
often thought that she would learn some one 
thing well, and so be prepared against a day 
of misfortune. And now the day of misfor- 
tune had come, and she was not ready for it. 
She could not bear to think of selling the town 
house ; she would far rather sell the hotel, 
but that, it seemed, was out of the question. 

Leicester, on the other hand, took a more 
cheerful view of the situation. 

Oh, I donT believe we’ll have to sell the 
house,” he said. It isn’t so bad as that, is it, 
grandma ? ” 


174 


FINANCIAL PLANS 


175 


I don’t know, Leicester,” said the old lady 
helplessly ; I never did know much about 
business matters, and now I feel more con- 
fused than ever when I try to straighten them 
out.” 

But if we could just get through this sum- 
mer, grandmother, when we go back to the city 
in the fall I feel sure I can get a position of some 
kind and earn a salary that will help us all out.” 

“ You are a good boy, Leicester,” said Mrs. 
Dorrance ; “ but it is very uncertain about 
your getting a position ; and too, I don’t want 
you to leave school yet.” 

“ No, indeed,” said Dorothy. It wouldn’t 
be right for Leicester to leave school at four- 
teen ; and anyway, I think he ought to go 
through college. Now I am sixteen, and I 
have education enough for a girl. So I’m the 
one to get a position of some kind in the fall, 
and earn money to help along.” 

“ What could you do ? ” asked Lilian look- 
ing at her sister. She had ample faith that 
Dorothy could do anything she wanted to, 
and was merely anxious to know in which 
direction she would turn her talents. 


176 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

I don’t know,” said Dorothy, very hon- 
estly ; skilled labor is the only thing that 
counts nowadays, and I’m really not fitted for 
anything. I would like best to write things ; 
but I don’t believe anybody would buy them, 
— at least, not at first. So I suppose the only 
thing that I could do would be to go into a 
store.” 

“ And sell candy ? ” asked Fairy, with a 
dawning interest in the plan. 

Don’t talk like that, Dorothy dear,” said 
grandma, gently ; of course I wouldn’t let 
you go into a store, and also, I’m very much 
afraid that your poetry wouldn’t find a ready 
market. That may come later, but it will 
probably be after years of apprenticeship.” 

“ Well, something must be done,” said 
Dorothy decidedly ; and you can’t do it, 
grandma ; so we children must. I think we 
are old enough now to take the responsibility 
off of your shoulders ; or at least to help you 
in these troubles.” 

I wish you could, my dear child, but I 
fear there is no practical way by which we can 
raise the money that I must have, except to 


FINANCIAL PLANS 


177 


sell the city house. It seems like a great sac- 
rifice for a small reason ; for you see if we 
just had money enough to pay our living ex- 
penses this summer, I could manage, I think, 
to come out nearly even by fall. But there is 
no way to provide for our living this summer, 
that I can see.” 

“ Now I'm getting a clearer understanding 
of the case,” said Leicester ; then if we chil- 
dren could earn money enough this summer 
to run the Dorrance Domain, we'd come out 
all right ? ” 

“Yes, I think so, but how could you earn 
any ? ” 

“ I don't know,” said Leicester, “ but I've 
often read how other boys earned money, — 
and country boys, too. We might pick huck- 
leberries and sell them, or we might raise a 
garden and sell things.” 

“ Who would you sell them to ? ” asked 
Lilian, who was always practical. “ Now I 
think a more sensible way would be to econo- 
mize. Send away Tessie and Kathleen both ; 
and then get along with fewer good things to 
eat. You know we've had everything just as 


178 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


we wanted it, and I^m sure we could cut down 
our table expenses. Then we could give up 
the horse, — although he is a dear ’’ 

At this Fairy’s wails began again, for she 
was devotedly attached to old Dobbin, the 
horse, and couldn’t bear to think of parting 
with him. 

I think,” said Grandma Dorrance, that 
we will have to ask Mr. Lloyd to come up 
here and advise us ; and then whatever he 
thinks best, we will do.” 

Don’t you have to pay Mr. Lloyd for his 
advice ? ” asked Dorothy, suddenly struck by 
the thought of what seemed to her an unneces- 
sary expense. 

Yes,” said Mrs. Dorrance ; that is, I pay 
him for attending to all of my business, and 
of course that includes his advice.” 

“ I suppose we couldn’t get along without 
him,” said Dorothy, sighing ; “ but it does 
seem awful to pay him money that we need so 
much ourselves.” 

Mrs. Dorrance had a happy faculty of de- 
ferring unpleasant things to some future time ; 
and not worrying about them meanwhile. 


FKANCIAL PLANS 


179 


“ Well/’ she said, “ I will write to Mr. Lloyd 
to-morrow, and ask him to come up here ; or 
if he can’t come, to write me a letter advising 
me what to do. And until he comes, or his 
letter comes, we can’t do anything in the 
matter, and there is no use worrying over it. 
I’d hate to discharge the servants, for you 
girls couldn’t get along without anybody to 
help ; and if we keep Tessie, Kathleen is no 
added expense, for her work well pays for her 
board.” 

This was not quite logical, but all were too 
miserable to notice it. For once the Dor- 
rances went up-stairs to their beds without 
any whoops or hurrahs for Dorrance Domain. 

As they were going up the great staircase, 
Lilian offered another of her practical, if not 
very attractive suggestions. 

We could,” she said, “ shut up the Do- 
main, and all go to board with Mrs. Hickox 
for the rest of the summer. I’m sure she’d 
take us quite cheaply.” 

At this Leicester started the old Dorrance 
groan, which had not been heard before since 
their arrival at Lake Ponetcong. 


180 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

They all joined in heartily, and groaned in 
concert, in loud, horrible tones that echoed 
dismally through the long corridors. 

It was characteristic of their different na- 
tures that Grandma Dorrance went to bed, 
and immediately fell asleep in spite of her 
anxiety about her affairs ; while Dorothy lay 
awake far into the night pondering over the 
problem. 

She could form no plan, she was conscious 
only of a dogged determination that she 
would somehow conquer the existing diffi- 
culties, and triumphantly save the day. 

She thought of Lilian’s practical sugges- 
tions, and though she admitted them prac- 
tical, she could not think them practicable. 
Surely there must be some way other than 
boarding at Mrs. Hickox’s, or living on bread 
and tea. 

At any rate,” she thought to herself as 
she finally fell asleep, nothing will be done 
until Mr. Lloyd is heard from, and that will 
give me at least two or three days to think 
of a plan.” 

But try as she would, the next day and 


FINANCIAL PLANS 


181 


the next, no acceptable plan would come into 
Dorothy^s head. 

‘‘We are the most helpless family ! she 
thought to herself, as she lay in the hammock 
under the trees. “ There is positively noth- 
ing that we can do, that’s of any use. But I 
will do something, — I will ! I will I ” and by 
way of emphasizing her determination she 
kicked her heel right through the hammock. 

The other children did not take it quite so 
seriously. They were younger, and they had 
a hazy sort of an idea that money troubles 
always adjusted themselves, and somehow got 
out of the way. 

Leicester and Dorothy talked matters over, 
for though younger, he considered himself 
the man of the house, and felt a certain re- 
sponsibility for that reason. But he could no 
more think of a plan than Dorothy could, 
and so he gave the problem up in despair, 
and apparently Dorothy did also. 

However, even a serious trouble like this, 
was not sufficient to cast down the Dorrances’ 
spirits to any great extent. 

They went their ways about as usual ; they 


182 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

rowed and fished and walked and drove old 
Dobbin around, while their faces showed no 
sign of gloom or depression. That was the 
Dorrance nature, to be happy in spite of im- 
pending disaster. 

Mr. Lloyd’s letter came, but instead of help- 
ing matters, it left them in quite as much of 
a quandary as ever. He said that it would be 
impossible to sell the town house during the 
summer season. That the repairs must be 
made, or the tenants would not be willing to 
stay. He advised Mrs. Dorrance to retrench 
her expenses in every possible way, and stated 
further, that although the repairs must be 
made at once, it would not be necessary to pay 
the bills immediately on their presentation. 

He said that although he would be glad to 
run up to see them in their country home, he 
could not leave the city at present, but he 
might be able to visit them later on. 

Altogether it was not a satisfactory letter, 
and Leicester expressed open disapproval. 

‘^That’s a nice thing,” he said, to tell us 
not to pay our bills ! As if we wanted to live 
with a lot of debts hanging over our heads ! ” 


FINANCIAL PLANS 


183 


I think it’s lucky that we don’t have to 
pay them right off,” said Dorothy ; some- 
thing may happen before we have to pay 
them.” 

Dorothy had a decided touch of the Micaw- 
ber element in her nature and usually lived 
in the hope of something happening. And, 
to do her justice, it often did. 

To the surprise of the others Fairy seemed 
very much impressed by the gravity of the 
situation, and more than that she seemed to 
think that it devolved on her to do some- 
thing to relieve it. She walked over to Mrs. 
Hickox’s to make her usual Wednesday visit, 
and though she skipped along as usual she 
was really thinking seriously. 

She found Mrs. Hickox sitting on a bench 
under a tree paring apples, and Fairy sat 
down beside her. 

Of course I’m only twelve,” she began, 
but really I can do a great many things ; 
only the trouble is none of them seem to be 
remunerary.” 

The two had become great friends, and 
though Mrs. Hickox was a lady of uncertain 


184 THE DOEEANGE DOMAIN 

affections, she had taken a great fancy to 
Fairy, and in her queer way showed a real 
fondness for the child. She had also become 
accustomed to Fairy’s manner of plunging 
suddenly into a subject. 

“ What is it you want to do now ? ” she 
said. 

Well, you see,” said Fairy, we’ve failed, 
or absconded, or something like that ; I don’t 
know exactly all about it, but we’re awful 
poor, and we can’t have anything more to eat. 
Some of us want to come to board with you, 
and some of us don’t. You see it’s very com- 
plicrated.” 

Yes, it seems to be,” said Mrs. Hickox ; 
^^but how did you get so poor all of a sud- 
den? I always said you were all crazy and 
now I begin to believe it. Your grand- 
mother ” 

Don’t you say a word against my granny- 
mother I ” cried Fairy, with flashing eyes. 

She’s the loveliest, best and wisest lady in 
the whole world. Only somehow she just hap- 
pened to lose her money, and so of course us 
children want to help her all we can, and I 


FINANCIAL PLANS 


185 


just don’t happen to know what to do to earn 
money, that’s all. And 1 thought you might 
know some way to tell me.” 

I don’t believe there’s anything a child of 
your age could do to earn money,” said 
Hickox. But now that I come to think of 
it, I did cut out a clipping just the other day, 
telling how to earn a good salary at home.” 

“ Oh, that will be just the thing I ” cried 
Fairy, dancing around in glee ; “I’d love to 
earn a big salary and stay right there at the 
Dorrance Domain to do it. Do try to find it.” 

Mrs. Hickox was in the habit of sticking 
away her clippings in various queer places. 
She pulled out a bunch from behind the 
clock, and ran them over ; “ How to Take Out 
Ink Stains,” “ How to Wash Clothes in Six 
Minutes,” “ How to Protect an Iron Lawn 
Fence,” “ How to Stuff Birds, Taught by 
Mail,” “ Sure Cure for Rheumatism,” “ Rec- 
ipe for Soft Soap.” 

None of these seemed to be what was 
wanted, so Mrs. Hickox hunted through 
another bunch which she took out of an old 
and unused teapot. 


186 


THE DOEEANOE DOMAIN 


Fairy danced around with impatience while 
her hostess went through several collections. 

Oh, here it is,” she said, at last, and then 
she read to the child a most promissory ad- 
vertisement which set forth a tempting de- 
scription of how any one might earn a large 
fortune by directing envelopes. The two 
talked it over, and Fairy wrote for Mrs. 
Hickox a sample of her penmanship, where- 
upon the lady at once declared that the 
scheme was impossible. For she said nobody 
could read such writing as that, and if they 
could, they wouldn’t want to. 

Fairy’s disappointment was quite in pro- 
portion to the vivid anticipations she had 
held, and she was on the verge of one of her 
volcanic crying spells, when Mr. Hickox came 
in. 

Well, well, what’s the trouble?” he said 
in his cheery way, and when Fairy explained, 
he responded : 

Well, well, little miss, don’t you worry, — 
don’t you worry one mite ! Hickox ’ll fix it. 
It’ll be all right ! ” 

And so comforting was this assurance, and 


FINANCIAL PLANS 


187 


SO sanguine was the Dorrance temperament, 
that Fairy felt at once that everything was all 
right, and dismissed the whole subject from 
her mind. 


CHAPTEE XV 


A SUDDEN DETERMINATION 


O NE afternoon, Dorothy sat on the front 
veranda, day-dreaming. 

It was difficult to say which was 
the front veranda, — the one that faced the 
road, or the one that looked out on the lake. 
The house could be considered to front either 
way. 

But Dorothy was on the veranda that faced 
the road, and it was a lovely warm, hazy day, 
almost the last of June, and notwithstanding 
her responsibilities, Dorothy was in a happy 
frame of mind. 

She watched with interest, a carriage that 
was coming along tfie road towards her. It 
was nothing unusual in the way of a carriage, 
but there was so little passing, that anything 
on four wheels was always noticeable. This 
was a buggy, and contained a lady and gentle- 



1 1 


DOROTHY SAT ON THE FRONT VERANDA, DAY-DREAMING” 



A SUDDEK DETEEMINATION 189 

man who seemed to be driving slowly and 
talking fast. 

To Dorothy's surprise, when they reached 
the entrance of the Dorrance Domain, they 
turned in, and drove up towards the house. 

As they stopped in front, of the steps, 
Dorothy rose to greet them ; but though 
courteous in manner, beyond bestowing a 
pleasant smile, they took no notice of her. 
The gentleman got out first, then helped the 
lady out, and after a blank look around for a 
moment, as if expecting somebody, he threw 
his lines carelessly around the whip and es- 
corted the lady into the house. 

The doors were all open as usual, and Doro- 
thy was so amazed to see them walk past her, 
that she said nothing. 

Grandma Dorrance was lying down in her 
room ; the twins had gone out rowing, and 
Fairy was down at the dock with Mr. Hickox, 
fishing. 

The two servants were far away in the 
kitchen, and so the strangers walked through 
the great hall and out on the west veranda 
without seeing anybody. 


190 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

Nonplussed, they returned to the office, and 
noted the unused look of the desks and coun- 
ters there. 

“ Where do you suppose the clerk can be? ” 
said the gentleman. 

“ Let us ask that young girl on the ve- 
randa/^ said the lady, and together they re- 
turned to where Dorothy was sitting. 

Excuse me,” said the strange gentleman, 
“ but can you tell me where I may find the 
clerk of this hotel ? ” 

“ There isnT any clerk,” said Dorothy, 
smiling, as she rose to greet them. 

Then will you tell me where I can find 
the proprietor ? ” 

Like a flash, an inspiration came to Doro- 
thy. She realized in an instant that these 
people were looking for board ; and equally 
quickly came the thought that she might take 
them to board, and so earn some of the money 
that she had been worrying about. It would 
certainly be no more difficult to have boarders 
than visitors. 

And so, on the impulse of the moment, 
Dorothy replied : 


A SUDDEN DETEEMINATION 


191 


I am the proprietor/’ 

But I mean the proprietor of the hotel, — 
the owner of the place.” 

“ My grandmother is the owner of this 
hotel ; and if anybody is proprietor of it, I 
am. May I ask if you are looking for 
board?” 

“Yes, we are,” said the lady, impulsively ; 
“ and if you are the proprietor. I’m quite sure 
we want board at this hotel.” 

“ Will you sit down, and let us talk this 
matter over,” said Dorothy, offering them 
veranda chairs. “ I would like to explain 
just how things are.” 

The strangers seated themselves, and looked 
at Dorothy with some curiosity and a great 
deal of interest. It was certainly unusual to 
come across a pretty girl of sixteen, who, in 
her ruffled lawn frock looked quite like the 
typical guest of a summer hotel, and then to 
be calmly told that she was the proprietor. 

Dorothy also looked with interest at her 
visitors. The man was tall and large, of per- 
haps middle age ; his face was kind and 
serious, but a smile seemed to lurk in his 


192 THE DOEEANOE DOMAIN 

deep blue eyes. The lady seemed to be 
younger, and was very pretty and vivacious. 
She had curly brown hair, and her brown eyes 
fairly danced with fun at the idea of Dorothy 
as a hotel proprietor. 

You see,” said Dorothy, as they all sat 
down, this hotel is my grandmother’s prop- 
erty ; but as we couldn’t rent it, we have all 
come here to live for the summer. My grand- 
mother is quite old, and not at all strong, so 
the household management is entirely in my 
charge. I would be very glad to take some 
boarders if I could satisfy them and make 
them comfortable. I have never kept board- 
ers, but,” and here Dorothy’s smile brought 
out all her dimples, I have entertained com- 
pany successfully.” 

“ I should be delighted to come,” exclaimed 
the lady, “ if you are quite sure you want us, 
and if your grandmother would not ob- 
ject.” 

“ Oh, no, she would not object ; the ques- 
tion is, whether I could make your stay 
satisfactory to you. We have plenty of room ; 
I could promise you a good table and good 


A SUDDEN DETERMINATION 193 

service. But as there are no other guests, you 
might be lonely.’^ 

“We are not afraid of being lonely, said 
the gentleman, “ for my wife and I are not 
dependent on the society of other people. 
But let me introduce myself before going fur- 
ther ; I am Mr. James Faulkner, of New York 
City. Mrs. Faulkner and myself have been 
staying over at the Horton House, and that 
hotel is far too gay and noisy to suit our 
tastes. I^m a scientific man, and like to 
spend much of my day in quiet study. Mrs. 
Faulkner, too, likes to be away from society's 
demands, at least for a season. Therefore I 
must confess your proposition sounds most at- 
tractive, if the minor details can be arranged.’^ 

“ I am Dorothy Dorrance,^^ Dorothy re- 
sponded, by way of her own introduction, 
“ and my grandfather was Robert Hampton 
Dorrance. He has been dead for two years, 
and he left us this hotel property, which as 
we have been unable to rent, we decided to 
occupy. I would be glad to add to our in- 
come, and if you think you could be com- 
fortable here,, might we not try it for a week ? 


194 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


“ Oh, do let us try it,’^ cried Mrs. Faulkner, 
eagerly ; do say yes, James, — this is such a 
lovely spot, and this hotel is quite the most 
attractive I have seen anywhere. Only fancy 
having no other guests but ourselves ! it would 
be ideal. Oh, we must certainly come ! I 
will decide it ; we will come for a week at any 
rate.” 

Very well, my dear, you shall have your 
own way. May I ask your rates. Miss Dor- 
rance ? ” 

Dorothy hesitated. She felt very inex- 
perienced, and while she was fearful of over- 
charging, yet her practical instincts made her 
also beware of undervaluing the accommoda- 
tions she knew she could supply. 

“ I don^t know,” she said, frankly, what I 
ought to charge you. But you may have the 
best rooms in the house, and,” — here she 
smiled, involuntarily, — “ as many of them as 
you wish. We have a really superior cook, 
and an experienced waitress. We have boats, 
and a horse and carriage, which you may use 
when you care to. As I know nothing of 
summer hotel charges, I would be glad if you 


A SUDDEN DETEEMINATION 195 

would tell me what you think would be right 
for you to pay.’’ 

Dorothy’s frank honesty, and her gentle re- 
fined courtesy made a most favorable impres- 
sion on Mr. Faulkner, and he responded cor- 
dially. 

For what you offer. Miss Dorrance, I 
think it would be fair if we should pay you 
the same as we are now paying over at the 
Horton House ; that is, fifteen dollars a week, 
each, for Mrs. Faulkner and myself” 

Dorothy considered a moment. She was a 
quick thinker, and she realized that this 
amount of money would help considerably to- 
wards the living expenses of the family. And 
the price could not be exorbitant since Mr. 
Faulkner offered it himself 

“ That will be entirely satisfactory to me,” 
she said, ^‘“and I shall hope, on my part, to 
satisfy you. When would you like to come ? ” 
I’d like to come to-morrow,” said Mrs. 
Faulkner. I’ve stood the Horton House 
just as long as I can. And our week is up to- 
morrow. But, excuse me, my dear, aren’t 
you very young for these responsibilities ? ” 


196 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

I^m sixteen/’ said Dorothy, and grand- 
mother thinks my talents are of the domestic 
order. But I could not undertake to have 
you here were it not that our cook is not 
merely a cook, but a general manager and all- 
round housekeeper. And now, Mrs. Faulk- 
ner, if you really think of coming, wouldn’t 
you like to select your rooms? ” 

Just at this moment. Fairy came flying 
through the long hall at her usual break-neck 
pace, and landed turbulently in the midst of. 
the group. 

Oh, Dorothy,” she cried, we caught flsh, 
and flsh, and fish ! ” 

This is my sister Fairy,” said Dorothy, 
^^and I must explain, that when I said it 
would be quiet here, I neglected to mention 
that there are four of us children ; and the 
truth is we are dreadfully noisy at times. 
Fairy, dear, this is Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner, 
who are perhaps coming to board with us.” 

With the pretty politeness that always un- 
derlay the boisterousness of the Dorrances, 
Fairy put out her hand to the strangers, say- 
ing : I’m very glad to see you. Are you 


A SUDDEN DETEEMINATION 197 

really coming to stay with us? You must 
^scuse me for rushing out like that, and nearly 
knocking you over, but I was so ’cited about 
my fish.” 

Fairy always looked more than usually 
fairy-like when she was excited. Her gold 
curls tumbled about her face, and the big 
white bow which topped them stood at all 
sorts of fiyaway angles. She poised herself 
on one foot, and waved her hands dramatically 
as she talked. 

Mrs. Faulkner was charmed with the child, 
and being possessed of some artistic ability, 
she privately resolved to make a sketch of 
Fairy at the first opportunity. 

The two sisters escorted the guests through 
the hall, if Fairy’s hop, skip and jump could 
be called an escort, and Dorothy showed them 
the lake view from the west piazza. 

Mrs. Faulkner was enthusiastic over this, 
and declared that nothing would induce her 
to stay anywhere else but at the Dorrance 
Domain. 

Mr. Faulkner, too, was impressed by the 
beauty of the lake. It was always most pic- 


198 THE DOEEAI^CE DOMAIN 

turesque in the late afternoon, and just now 
the clouds, lit up by the western sun, were 
especially beautiful. The lake itself was not 
calm, but was covered with smooth little hills 
of water, which here and there broke into 
white foam. 

Some distance out, a boat could be seen, 
containing two people. 

That’s my brother and sister,” said Doro- 
thy ; “ they are twins. They are fourteen, 
and are perhaps the noisiest of us all. You 
see,” she went on, smiling, I’m preparing 
you for the worst. Grandmother had great 
difficulty with the New York boarding-house 
keepers, because they thought the Dorrance 
children too lively. So I want you to be 
fully warned that we do make a great deal of 
noise. Somehow we can’t help it.” 

We don’t yell so much as we used to,” 
said Fairy, hopefully ; “ you see, Mrs. Faulk- 
ner, when we used to be cooped up in a board- 
ing-house we just had to make an awful 
racket, ’cause we were so miserabubble. But 
here we have room enough to scamper around, 
and so we don’t holler so much.” 


A SUDDEN DETEEMINATION 


199 


I rather think we can survive your dem- 
onstrations of animal spirits/^ said Mr. Faulk- 
ner, with his kindly smile. “ It will be a 
pleasant relief from the brass band which 
is the noise-producer over at the Horton 
House.’^ 

^^We haven^t any brass band,’^ said Doro- 
thy, suddenly realizing that they lacked many 
things popularly supposed to belong to a sum- 
mer hotel. 

“ That’s one reason why I want to come,” 
said Mrs. Faulkner. 

‘‘ I hope you will decide to come,” said 
Dorothy ; “ and now, if you will excuse me a 
minute, I think I will ask my grandmother 
to come down and sanction our plan.” 

Leaving the strangers to be entertained by 
Fairy, Dorothy ran up to her grandmother’s 
room and tapped at the door. 

A few moments served to explain matters 
to Mrs. Dorrance, and though a little bewil- 
dered by Dorothy’s sudden proposal, she 
thought the plan a good one, and went down 
prepared to give the strangers a cordial recep- 
tion. 


200 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

The Faulkners were much pleased with the 
gentle, gracious old lady, and Mrs. Dorrance 
decided at a glance that the newcomers were 
sensible and kindly people. 


CHAPTER XYI 


A DARING SCHEME 

T he more they talked over the matter 
the more it seemed a sensible and 
feasible plan for all concerned. Mrs. 
Dorrance felt sure that with their two capa- 
ble servants, and Mr. Hickox^s varied use- 
fulness, two boarders would make no more 
responsibility for Dorothy than her five guests 
had. 

It was therefore decided to try the plan for 
a week, and if both sides were satisfied, to 
continue for the season. 

Then Dorothy took the strangers up to 
select their rooms, and Mrs. Faulkner was as 
delighted at the idea of choosing from so 
many empty rooms, as the Dorrances had 
been on the night of their own arrival. 

Agreeing to return the next day with their 
luggage, the Faulkners drove away, leaving 
201 


202 


THE DOEEAi^CE DOMAIN 


the Dorrances in a high state of delighted 
excitement. 

You see” said Dorothy to her grand- 
mother, “ something has happened. I felt 
sure it would, though of course, I had no 
idea it would be the Faulkners. But thirty 
dollars a week will help a lot, and I’m sure 
we can make them have a good time. They’re 
lovely people, — you can see that at a glance. 
Mrs. Faulkner is so sweet, I think I’d be will- 
ing to pay her just to sit around and smile at 
me.” 

Instead of her paying you to let her do 
it,” said grandma. “ But it is a good plan, 
Dorothy ; for now we can afford to keep Kath- 
leen, and pay her fair wages, which I did not 
otherwise feel justified in doing.” 

And Kathleen is a whole army of serv- 
ants, all in one,” said Dorothy. She’ll be 
delighted at the idea of staying with us. I’ll 
go and tell her about it now.” 

I’ll go, too,” cried Fairy. I want to hear 
her talk.” 

Out to the kitchen the two girls ran and 
noisily burst in upon Tessie and her mother. 


A DAEING SCHEME 


203 


The two Irish women were feeling rather 
blue, for Mrs. Dorrance had told them that she 
could not afford to let them both stay with 
her, and she was not sure that she ought to 
keep even Tessie. 

Arrah thin, darlints, yezdl be afther 
breakin^ down the dures ! Why musht ye 
always come so shlam-bang ? ” 

We can’t help it, Kathleen,” cried Doro- 
thy ; “ we’re just made so, I guess. But this 
time we’ve something to tell you, — something 
important.” 

Im-porrtant, is it ? Sorra a good thing cud 
yez tell me, ixcipt that yer lady grandmother 
wud be afther lettin’ me shtay here wid 
yez. Me an’ Tessie is afther grievin’ sore at 
thoughts of lavin’ yez.” 

That’s just it, Kathleen,” screamed Fairy, 
who in her excitement and enthusiasm was 
scrambling up Kathleen’s broad back. It 
was a favorite trick of Fairy’s to clamber up 
and perch herself on the big woman’s shoul- 
der, and the good-natured giantess assisted 
her with sundry pushings and pullings. 

That’s jist it, is it ? Well thin yez naden’t 


204 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

be afther tellin’ me anny more. Yez can 
kape the rist of yer importance to yersilves. 
If we can shtay up here, me and Tessie, we’ll 
wurruk our finger ends off fer ye, wid no 
wages but a bite an’ a sup.” 

“No, that won’t do, Kathleen. Now just 
listen ; we want to engage you as cook, and 
Tessie as waitress for the Dorrance Domain. 
It has become a hotel, — a regular summer 
hotel, and the boarders will arrive to-mor- 
row.” 

“ For the love of all the saints, miss ! Is it 
boorders yez’ll be afther takin’ ? Shure, an’ 
that’s foine. And it’s Kathleen as ’ll cook 
fer yez. An’ Tessie, you young rascal, see to 
it that you wait on the table jist grand I Do 
there be manny a-comin’, miss? ” 

“ Two,” replied Dorothy ; “ and they’re 
lovely people.” 

“ Yes, lovely people,” cried Fairy, who, still 
on Kathleen’s shoulder, was emphasizing her 
remarks by pounding Kathleen with her lit- 
tle fists ; “ one is a great, big, lovely gentle- 
man, with big, blue eyes, and grayish-black- 
ish hair. That’s Mr. Faulkner. And his 


A DAEING SCHEME 


205 


wife’s a beautiful little lady, who smiles, and 
smiles, and smiles. Oh, they’re scrumptious 
people, and I expect they will stay all sum- 
mer. Oh, Dorothy, the twins are coming ! 
let’s go and tell them ! ” 

Fairy sprang from Kathleen’s shoulder to 
the table, and from there bounded to the 
floor, and grasping Dorothy’s hand, the two 
ran away to tell the news, and met the twins 
on the veranda. 

Lilian and Leicester were as glad as the rest 
to learn of the advent of the Faulkners, and 
at once began to make plans for the comfort 
and entertainment of their boarders. 

“ I shall take Mr. Faulkner out Ashing,” 
said Leicester, and show him all the best 
spots to fish.” 

“ I don’t believe he’ll care much for fish- 
ing,” said Mrs. Dorrance. He seems to me 
to be so interested in his scientific work, that 
I imagine he spends little time in recreation. 
I think that you’ll all have to try to be a 
little quieter than usual, especially in the 
house.” 

We will, granny dear,” said Lilian ; “ if 


206 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


we^re going to keep boarders, we’re going to 
do it properly ; I guess the Dorrances know 
when they can cut up jinks, and when they 
can’t.” 

“ Isn’t it funny, though,” said Leicester, to 
think of our living in this hotel because no- 
body would rent it as a hotel, and now here 
we are, running a hotel ourselves. I’m going 
to get out the big register, and clean up that 
inkstand thing, and have the office all in 
working-order for them to register when they 
come to-morrow. Dorothy, you can be pro- 
prietor, but I’ll be the clerk ; and then after 
they register. I’ll ring the bell for a bell-boy. 
And then I’ll be the bell-boy. And then I’ll 
send myself for a porter, and Mr. Hickox ’ll 
be the porter. Oh, it ’ll be great I ” 

“ Shall we eat in the big dining-room ? ” 
asked Lilian. It seems as if it would be 
more like a hotel.” 

I don’t know,” said grandma ; that im- 
mense room is too large for seven people. 
The Faulkners seem very congenial, and I 
can’t help thinking they would prefer to sit 
at the round table with us. However, they 


A DAEIKG SCHEME 


207 


might prefer a table to themselves ; so I think 
the best plan is to wait until they arrive, and 
ask theme In such matters we should be 
glad to meet their wishes.’^ 

I shall keep most systematic accounts,’^ 
said Dorothy; “and then I can tell just how 
much we make by having boarders. There 
are lots of blank books in the office, and I 
shall keep exact lists of everything I buy this 
week, and then see how it balances up at the 
end of seven days.” 

“ If you expect to make any money out 
of this scheme,” said Leicester, “ you 
mustnT feed us all on the fat of the land, 
as you did when those people were visiting 
here.” 

“ No,” said grandma ; “ you can’t do it, 
Dorothy. It is very pleasant to set dainty 
and tempting dishes before one’s guests ; but 
when it comes to a practical business arrange- 
ment it is necessary to be careful in such mat- 
ters. I don’t want you to be over-economical, 
but on the other hand you cannot afford to be 
extravagant.” 

“ If you’re going to be a boarding-house 


208 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

keeper, Dot,” said Lilian, you must set a 
table exactly like Mrs. Cooper’s ! ” 

At this speech, Leicester started the famous 
Dorrance groan, and its wails reached the ears 
of Mr. Hickox, who was sauntering near by 
in his aimless, wandering fashion. 

Thought I’d just come over and see what 
you’re yowling about,” he said pleasantly ; 

those screeches are enough to kill all the fish 
in the lake ! ” 

Come in, Mr. Hickox,” cried Leicester ; 
we have a grand plan on hand, and as usual 
we shall want your help.” 

Oh, yes,” said Mr. Hickox, “ as usual. 
Hickox’ll make it all right. What’s up 
now? ” 

“We expect boarders to-morrow ; and when 
they come, we want you to be on hand to look 
after their trunks and things. The Dorrance 
Domain has suddenly turned back into a 
hotel. Dorothy is proprietor, I’m clerk, and 
you’re to be the porter.” 

“ What am I ? ” said Lilian ; “ I want a 
regular position.” 

“ Oh, you can be the elevator boy, or the 


A DAEING SCHEME 


209 


carriage-door opener, whichever you like,” 
said her brother. 

“ As we haven’t any elevator, and our 
carriage hasn’t any door, I won’t be over- 
worked.” 

“We girls will all have to be upper serv- 
ants,” said Dorothy ; “ with so much extra 
work in the kitchen, we’ll have to help a 
great deal as parlor-maids, and chambermaids, 
and dining-room maids.” 

“ I’ll sweep all the verandas every day,” 
announced Fairy ; “ I do just love to fly 
around with that funny big broom-brush.” 

“ Well, Hickox is yours to command,” de- 
clared that genial gentleman ; “ whatever you 
want Hickory Hickox to do, that’s as good as 
done I Excepting, of course, such various 
times as I might be otherwise employed. But 
I’ll be porter all right, and I’ll port them peo- 
ple’s trunks right up to their rooms so fast, 
they’ll think I’m an elevator. My ! Mrs. 
Hickox, she’ll be surprised to hear you people 
are going to have boarders ! I must say, I’m 
some surprised myself. Well I must shuffle 
along now, and I’ll be on deck when you want 


210 


THE DOREANCE DOMAIN 


me to-morrow. Hickox will look after things. 
It’ll be all right.” 

After the ungainly figure had shufiled away, 
the children still continued to make plans and 
offer suggestions for the new arrangement. 

“ We must be very methodical,” said Doro- 
thy, who was much in earnest in the matter, 
and who wanted to start out just right. Mrs. 
Faulkner is so nice and sweet, I want to please 
her ; and, too, if the Dorrances run a hotel, I 
want it to be run on the most approved 
plan.” 

We’ll each have an account book,” said 
Fairy ; “ and I’ll put down in mine, how 
many times I sweep the verandas each day.” 

“ If you get around them all in one day, 
baby,” said Leicester, “ you’ll do mighty well ; 
and to do that, you’ll have to get to work at 
daybreak and stick to it till sundown. There’s 
an awful big number of square feet of veranda 
attached to this palatial mansion, I can tell 
you.” 

“ Oh, pooh ! ” cried Fairy. “ It won’t take 
me all day, at all. I can fly around it in a 
minute. I’ll work like a centripepede ! ” 


A DARING SCHEME 


211 


We’ll keep the horse for this week, any- 
way,” went on Dorothy ; for I shall have to 
go to market every morning, and it’s so much 
quicker to go in the carriage than the boat. 
Sometimes you can go for me. Less, if I make 
out an exact list of what I want.” 

“ All right,” said her brother ; I don’t 
think this keeping boarders is going to be 
such hard work after all. I wonder we didn’t 
think of it sooner.” 

I’m glad we didn’t,” said Dorothy ; “ I 
think it was nicer to have a few weeks all by 
ourselves, first. We’ve got to behave when 
the Faulkners get here. It will be just like 
it was at Mrs. Cooper’s, you know.” 

This time Fairy started the groan, and 
again they all chimed in with those deep 
growling wails that always made Mrs. Dor- 
rance clap her hands to her ears. 

For pity’s sake ! ” exclaimed the long- 
suffering old lady ; don’t make any reference 
to Mrs. Cooper while the Faulkners are here ; 
for if they heard those fearful groans of yours, 
they’d leave at once.” 

What’s Mr. Faulkner like ? ” asked 


212 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

Leicester ; will he say, ‘ well, my little 
man,’ to me ? ” 

No,” said Dorothy, laughing at the re- 
membrance ; Mr. Faulkner is an awful nice 
man. Not very young, and not very old.” 

Like Jack Sprat’s pig ? ” asked Leicester ; 
not very little and not very big.” 

He isn’t like anybody’s pig ! ” said Fairy, 
indignantly. “ He’s a gentiliferous gentleman. 
I’m going to ask him to go to Mrs. Hickox’s 
with me. He’s scientiferic, and I know he’d 
like to read her newspaper clippings.” 

“ I wouldn’t ask him to go just at first. 
Fairy,” said grandma ; wait until you get 
better acquainted.” 

Well, anyhow. I’ll take him to see the 
rabbits; he’s sure to love them, they’re such 
cunning, pudgy-wudgy little things.” 

And I’m sure he will like Dare,” said 
Lilian, patting the head of the big dog who 
lay at her feet. 

Such nice people as they seem to be, will 
surely like animals,” said grandma ; “ but if 
they should not, then you must be very care- 
ful that they are not annoyed by them. Dare 


A DAEING SCHEME 


213 


will learn for himself .whether he is liked or 
not ; but if Mrs. Faulkner doesn’t care for 
kittens you must keep Mike out from under 
foot.” 

I don’t believe she’ll care for kittens, so 
I’ll take this one and drown it now,” said 
Leicester, picking up the ball of flufipy Maltese 
fur, and starting towards the lake. 

Fairy ran after him, screaming in pretended 
anguish, though she well knew her brother 
was only joking, being almost as fond of the 
kitten as she was herself. 

The other two girls followed, and Dare 
followed them, and a general game of romps 
ensued. 

Grandma Dorrance watched them from 
the veranda, feeling glad for the thousandth 
time that her dear ones were in their own 
home, where they could follow their own 
sweet will, without causing annoyance to 
any one. 


CHAPTER XYII 


REGISTERED GUESTS 

T he next day, true to her word, Dorothy 
made preparations for methodical and 
systematic hotel management. 

They may not stay more than a week ; 
probably they wonT,” she said ; “ but I don’t 
want them to leave because the Dorrance 
Domain isn’t run properly as a summer 
hotel.” 

The children had looked upon the whole 
affair as a great joke ; but seeing that there 
was a certain underlying current of serious- 
ness in Dorothy’s attitude, they began to think 
that it was a business venture after all. 

“ Shall we really ask them to register. 
Dot ? ” inquired Leicester, who didn’t know 
quite how far the playing at hotel was to be 
carried. 

Yes,” said Dorothy ; there is no reason 

214 


EEGISTEEED GUESTS 


215 


why not ; it can certainly do no harm, and it 
makes everything seem more shipshape. Have 
nice fresh pens, ink and blotters, and put down 
the date and the number of their rooms when 
Mr. Faulkner signs. Don’t laugh about it, but 
don’t put on airs either ; just be polite and 
businesslike.” 

My, Dot, but you’re a wonder I ” exclaimed 
Leicester, looking at his sister with admira- 
tion. “ Where did you learn all these things ? 
Nobody ever registered at Mrs. Cooper’s.” 

“No,” said Dorothy ; “ but that was a city 
boarding-house ; an altogether different affair 
from a country summer hotel. It may be 
foolish, but I want to try to treat the Faulk- 
ners just as they would be treated in any nice 
summer hotel.” 

“ It isn’t foolish at all,” spoke up Lilian ; 
“ it’s just the right way to do, and we’ll all 
help. We must send a pitcher of ice- water to 
their room every night.” 

“ Oh, dear, I never thought of that ! ” ex- 
claimed Dorothy, in dismay ; “ why, we haven’t 
any ice.” 

“ No,” said Leicester, “ but fresh-drawn 


216 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


water from that deep well is just as cold as 
any ice-water. I’ll make that one of my 
duties ; I’m a bell-boy, you know.” 

Another thing,” went on Lilian, in her 
practical w^ay, “ is the mail-box in the office. 
We must tell the Faulkners to put their letters 
in there, and they will be collected twice a 
day, and taken over to Woodville and mailed.” 

Lilian, you’re a trump ! ” cried Dorothy ; 
tell us more things like that, — that’s just 
what I mean. But we can’t go to Woodville 
twice a day ! ” 

“ I think once a day will be enough,” said 
Leicester ; “ we’ll take the contents of the mail- 
box every morning when we go over for the 
marketing.” 

“ I shall write to Gladys Miller every day,” 
said Fairy ; so you’ll always have something 
to take ; maybe the Faulkners don’t have so 
very much corresponderence.” 

All four of the children went to market 
that morning. Leicester drove them over, and 
so much chattering and planning did they do 
on the way, that the two miles distance seemed 
very short. 


EEGISTEEED GUESTS 


217 


Dorothy felt the responsibility of ordering 
just the right things for her table. She real- 
ized that she must begin on just the same scale 
on which she expected to continue through the 
week. She must not be too lavish, for since 
her aim now was to earn money, she must be 
fair and just, rather than generous. 

Always sensible and capable, Dorothy 
seemed suddenly possessed of a new sort of 
self-relfance ; and the responsibility which 
she had voluntarily and gladly accepted, 
seemed to bring with it the executive ability 
which promised success. 

Mr. Bill Hodges was delighted to hear the 
news of boarders at the Dorrance Domain. 
He possessed that trait, not altogether unusual 
in storekeepers, of desiring to sell his wares. 
During the fortnight that the Dorrances had 
entertained company, he had reaped a golden 
harvest, and, as since then Dorothy’s demand 
on his stock had been much more modest, he 
now rejoiced in the anticipation of further ex- 
travagant orders. 

He was greatly surprised then, when Doro- 
thy, instead of lavishly purchasing whatever 


218 THE DOEEAIiTCE DOMAIN 

struck her fancy, regardless of its price, began 
to inquire the cost of things, and showed a 
decided leaning towards thrift and economy. 

Ain’t goin’ to starve them folks, be you ? ” 
he asked, as Dorothy hesitated between the 
relative merits of lettuce and tomatoes. 

I hope not,” said Dorothy, politely, for 
she knew Mr. Bill Hodges pretty well by this 
time, and so did not resent what she knew 
was not meant as a rudeness. “ When our 
house was last run as a hotel, did they buy 
their provisions from you ? ” 

“ Yes, ma’am, they did;” and a shade more 
of respectful deference crept into the voice 
and manner of Mr. Bill Hodges, as he in- 
stinctively realized the touch of added 
dignity in Dorothy’s demeanor. Mr. Per- 
kins, he used to do the marketin’, and gra- 
cious snakes ! but he calc’lated close. He give 
his boarders just enough to keep them alive 
and no more.” 

Well, I don’t want to be quite so mean as 
that,” said Dorothy ; but on the other hand, 
I can’t afford to treat my boarders quite as I 
would like to entertain my guests.” 


EEGISTEEED GUESTS 


219 


That’s right, that’s right ! ” exclaimed Mr. 
Bill Hodges, whose own shrewd business mind 
readily recognized similar qualities in another. 
“ That’s right ; treat ’em good, but not too 
good.” 

This phrase fastened itself in Dorothy’s 
mind, and she determined to take for her line 
of action all that was expressed in Mr. Bill 
Hodges’ homely phrase, “ Treat ’em good, but 
not too good.” 

Their purchases satisfactorily completed, the 
children jogged back home over the rough, 
steep hill, and even old Dobbin seemed to 
realize that he was now part of the establish- 
ment of a first-class summer hotel. 

That afternoon the Faulkners arrived. 

Everything was in readiness, and perhaps 
no hotel proprietor ever took greater pride in 
the general appearance of his hostelry, than 
did Dorothy Dorrance, as, arrayed in a fresh 
white muslin, she stood on the east veranda 
watching a lumbering stage drawing nearer 
and nearer to the Dorrance Domain. 

And surely no typical hotel clerk, even 
though decorated with the traditional diamond 


220 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

pin, could show a more faultless array of offi- 
cial-looking desk-furnishings. 

The Horton House stage rolled slowly up 
the driveway, and stopped at the main en- 
trance. Mr. Hickox was on hand to open 
the stage door, and look after the hand lug- 
gage. 

With an instinctive grasping of the situa- 
tion, both Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner appreciated 
Dorothy’s frame of mind, and acted precisely 
as if they were entering a hotel run on reg- 
ulation lines. 

As Dorothy led the way to the office, Mrs. 
Faulkner looked at her curiously. It was 
strange to see a girl, so young and pretty, so 
graceful and well-bred, yet possessed of a cer- 
tain quality which could only be designated 
by the term, “ business instinct.” She mar- 
veled at Dorothy’s poise, which, however, 
showed no trace of awkwardness or pertness. 

Mrs. Faulkner was fond of character study, 
and felt convinced at once that she would 
greatly enjoy a better acquaintance with 
Dorothy Dorrance. 

At the office, Leicester showed the new- 


BEGISTEEED GUESTS 


221 


comers the same quiet, polite courtesy. The 
boy had a frank, straightforward air that al- 
ways impressed strangers pleasantly. He 
turned the register around towards Mr. 
Faulkner, and offered him an already-inked 
pen, with an air of being quite accustomed to 
registering guests. 

But Leicester’s sense of humor was strong, 
and the absurdity of the whole thing struck 
him so ' forcibly, that it was with great diffi- 
culty he refrained from laughing outright. 
Had he glanced at Dorothy, he certainly 
would have done so ; but the two were fully 
determined to play their part properly, and 
they succeeded. 

Nor was Mr. Faulkner to be outdone in the 
matter of correct deportment. He gravely 
took the pen offered to him, signed the regis- 
ter in the place indicated, and inquired if 
they might go at once to their rooms. 

Certainly,” said Leicester, touching the 
bell on the desk. The ubiquitous Hickox 
appeared with the hand-bags, and Leicester 
handed him the keys. 

This touch nearly finished Dorothy, for 


222 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

numbered keys seemed so very like a real 
hotel, that it struck her as quite the funniest 
thing yet. 

As the Faulkners, following Mr. Hickox, 
went up the great staircase and disappeared 
around the corner, Leicester flew out from 
behind his desk, grasped Dorothy’s hand, and 
fleetly, though silently, the two ran through the 
long parlor to one of the smaller rooms, shut 
the door, and then burst into peals of laughter. 

For a moment they would pause, begin to 
speak to each other, and then go off again 
into choking spasms of hilarity. 

Had they only known it, their two guests 
on the floor above, were doing almost the 
same thing. Mrs. Faulkner had thrown her- 
self into an easy chair, and was laughing until 
the tears rolled down her cheeks. Mr. Faulk- 
ner, who was by nature a grave gentleman, 
was walking up and down the room, broadly 
smiling, and saying, “ Well upon my word ! 
well upon my word ! ” 

Before Dorothy and Leicester had recovered 
their equilibrium, the two younger girls came 
rushing into the room where they were. 


EEGISTEEED GUESTS 


223 


'' Did they come ? Are they here ? What 
is the matter ? Do tell us all about it ! 

Dorothy, in her idea of the fitness of things 
had asked Lilian and Fairy to keep out of 
sight until after the arrival and registration 
had been safely accomplished ; grandma, it 
had also been thought best, was not to appear 
until dinner-time. As Dorothy had expressed 
it, she knew the proper propriety for a pro- 
prietor, and she proposed to live up to it. 

But of course when Fairy and Lilian, on 
the west veranda, heard the commotion in the 
small parlor, they could restrain their curi- 
osity no longer, and insisted on being told 
all about it. 

So Dorothy and Leicester calmed down a 
little, and assured them that the whole thing 
had passed off beautifully ; that the arrival 
had been a howling success, and that Mr. and 
Mrs. Faulkner were now established boarders 
at the Dorrance Domain. 

Then Dorothy went out to the kitchen to 
superintend carefully the preparations for 
dinner. She had decided that since the Dor- 
rance Domain had become a hotel, it was 


224 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

proper to have dinner at night, and luncheon 
in the middle of the day. 

Once over the comical farce of registering, 
the advent of the Faulkners took on an 
aspect not entirely humorous, and Dorothy’s 
sense of serious responsibility came back to 
her. Kathleen, too, with her native Irish wit 
realized the gravity of the occasion, and went 
about her duties in a steady, capable way that 
greatly helped to reassure Dorothy. 

And indeed, matters seemed to he progress- 
ing most smoothly. The dinner was well 
under way, and the table daintily set. 

Fairy had brought flowers from Mrs. Hick- 
ox’s garden, and she and Lilian had decorated 
the table and the dining-room. Dorothy had 
concluded that they would all sit together at 
the round table that night, and then if the 
Faulkners preferred a table to themselves, it 
could be arranged later. 

After a careful supervision, Dorothy left 
the dinner in charge of her really competent 
cook and waitress, and went back to the family. 
She found them all on the west veranda, where 
they usually congregated at sunset time. 


EEGISTEEED GUESTS 


226 


With them were the Faulkners ; and in a 
pretty summer house-gown, Mrs. Faulkner 
looked so sweet and dainty, that Dorothy felt 
more than ever attracted to her. Mr. Faulk- 
ner was engaged in a pleasant conversation 
with Grandma Dorrance ; and Dorothy sud- 
denly felt that to be the proprietor of a sum- 
mer hotel was just the nicest thing a girl 
could do. 

“ YouVe no idea,'’ Mrs. Faulkner was say- 
ing, as Dorothy came out, “ what a delightful 
change this is from the noise and glitter of 
the Horton House. This lovely great veranda, 
and the beautiful view of the lake, with no 
inharmonious elements, makes me feel glad 
I'm alive." 

I'm glad you are alive, too," said Dorothy, 
smiling at the lady ; ‘‘ and I'm glad you live 
here." 


CHAPTER XVIII 


AMBITIONS 

I T was truly astonishing, even to Dorothy, 
how easily the machinery of a big hotel 
could be made to move along. The Dor- 
rances all agreed that the Faulkners were no 
trouble at all, and that their presence in the 
Dorrance Domain added greatly to the hap- 
piness of all concerned. Doubtless the expla- 
nation of this lay in several different facts. 
To begin with, the Faulkners were most 
charming people ; refined, tactful, and kind- 
hearted. It was their nature to make as little 
trouble as possible, wherever they might be. 

On the other side, Dorothy’s determination 
to succeed in her enterprise, grew with what 
it fed upon, and she became day by day more 
capable through experience. Also, she was 
ably assisted by Leicester and the girls, who 

were always ready to do anything she wished 
226 


AMBITIONS 


227 


them to. Then, the servants were certainly 
treasures, and as Dorothy said, it would be a 
perfect idiot of a hotel proprietor who couldn’t 
succeed under such advantages as she had. 

With her success her ambitions grew. 

Again sitting on the east veranda, one after- 
noon, she found herself wishing that another 
buggy would drive up and deposit two more 
such people as the Faulkners at her hotel 
office. If she could succeed with two, why 
not with four, or even six ? 

Indeed, in her imagination she saw a long 
procession of buggies bringing eager guests to 
the hospitality of the Dorrance Domain. 

Acting on an impulse, she went in search 
of Mrs. Faulkner, and found that lady just 
coming down-stairs, dressed for afternoon, and 
quite ready for a chat. 

So Dorothy carried her off to one of her 
favorite nooks which was a little vine-clad 
arbor on the east lawn. 

This proprietor and guest had become firm 
friends in the few days they had been together. 
Dorothy admired Mrs. Faulkner’s lovely gra- 
cious disposition, and her clever cultivated 


228 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

mind. Mrs. Faulkner saw great possibilities 
in Dorothy’s character and took a sincere in- 
terest in the girl. Aside from this there was 
that subtle, inexplicable bond of sympathetic 
congeniality, which makes a real friendship 
possible. 

I want to talk to you seriously,” said 
Dorothy. 

“ I’m all attention,” said Mrs. Faulkner ; 
proceed with your seriousness.” 

“ You and Mr. Faulkner have been 
here a week to-morrow,” Dorothy went on, 
^‘and ” 

“ And you can’t stand us any longer, — and 
you want to break it to me gently ? ” 

No, indeed, nothing of the sort ! and you 
know that well. But I want to ask you 
frankly, and I want you to tell me honestly, 
how I have succeeded this week in what I 
have undertaken.” 

“ What have you undertaken ? ” said Mrs. 
Faulkner, who dearly loved to make Dorothy 
formulate her thoughts. 

Why, I undertook to give you and Mr. 
Faulkner, in a general way, and so far as I 


AMBITIONS 


229 


could, just such comforts and accommoda- 
tions as you would get at the average summer 
hoteV^ 

“ Is that all you tried to do ? 

“ I think, said Dorothy, speaking slowly, 
and thinking hard, I think I tried to give 
you a little bit extra, in the way of home com- 
forts and dainty service, to make up for the 
things that the average summer hotel pro- 
vides, but which I can’t give you.” 

Like a brass band, for instance.” 

Yes, a brass band, and a great array of 
bell-boys and porters, and Saturday night 
hops, and, — lots of things like that.” 

Well,” said Mrs. Faulkner, to tell you 
the truth, I don’t care two straws for brass 
bands, or Saturday night hops ; and Mr. Faulk- 
ner doesn’t either. We are both charmed with 
this place, and we are both absolutely happy 
and comfortable. So, if you are willing, we 
are quite ready to prolong our stay indefi- 
nitely. Mr. Faulkner enjoys the quiet and 
freedom from interruption, while he is pursu- 
ing his scientific studies. And as for myself, 
I want to get well rested this summer, for dur- 


230 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


ing the winter, my city life is very full of 
gayety and excitement/^ 

I^m so glad you are satisfied,’^ said Doro- 
thy, earnestly ; “ for this was an experiment, 
and I was so anxious it should succeed. Of 
course, on my side it is more than satisfactory. 
You and Mr. Faulkner are ideal boarders ; you 
make no trouble at all, and you have helped 
me in lots of ways by your advice and sug- 
gestions. Now I want to ask your advice 
some more. You know what I can do, — ^you 
know the house, and all, — do you think, if I 
could get them, I could take two or three 
more boarders ? 

Do you think you could ? asked Mrs. 
Faulkner, smiling at Dorothy’s eager face. 

Yes, I think so ; but sometimes, you know, 
I’m apt to overrate my own ability. I could 
do the work all right, — or have it done, — but 
I’m not sure whether I could manage to sat- 
isfy people who might not be so lovely and 
amiable as you and Mr. Faulkner are. And 
another thing, I wouldn’t want any more 
boarders if it would bother or annoy you two 
the least mite.” 


AMBITIONS 


231 


^‘Why do you think you would like to 
have more? ” 

Because, Mrs. Faulkner, I want to earn 
more money. Grandmother is bothered with 
her financial affairs, and if we children could 
help her any, we’d all be so glad. You see 
we are an awful expense to her ; but soon, I 
hope we’ll be old enough to earn money for 
her instead. Now of course to have two 
boarders is a good help towards the living ex- 
penses of our own family ; and I’ve counted 
up, and I think if I could have four, it would 
almost entirely pay our running account. 
And if I had six, I think we might begin to 
save money. Oh, Mrs. Faulkner, do you 
think we could do it ? ” 

“ Where would you get these boarders ? ” 

I don’t know ; but I thought I would ask 
you first, and see if you objected to having 
other people here. And then, if you didn’t, I 
thought perhaps I’d write to some of my 
friends in the city, and see if any of them 
wanted to come up for a few weeks.” 

You are a brave little girl, Dorothy,” said 
Mrs. Faulkner, looking into the eager anxious 


232 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


eyes upturned to hers ; and I must tell you 
how much I appreciate your love for your 
grandmother, and your courage and pluck in 
taking up this burden of the family fortunes. 
I have watched you through the week, and I 
have noticed your many little self-denials And 
your unfailing patience and perseverance. 1 
know who walked over to Woodport and back 
yesterday in the hot sun, in order that I 
might have cream for my peaches last night 
at dinner.’’ 

“ Oh, how did you know? ” cried Dorothy, 
blushing at her friend’s praise ; “ but there 
was really nobody to send, — the children had 
been on several errands, — and so I just went 
myself.” 

Yes, I know it ; and that is only one in- 
stance that shows your determination to have 
things right. And with that plucky perse- 
verance of yours, and with your pleasant 
house, and good helpers, I see no reason why 
you shouldn’t take a few more boarders if you 
can get the right kind. Of course it wouldn’t 
annoy Mr. Faulkner nor myself to have some 
other people here; and even if it did, we 


AMBITIOl^S 


233 


would have no right or wish to stand in your 
way. When you reach the stage of brass 
bands, and Saturday hops, that will be time 
for us to leave you, and push on into the wil- 
derness.’^ 

You needn’t begin to pack your things to- 
day,” said Dorothy, smiling, “ as it isn’t at all 
likely I can persuade anybody to come, — let 
alone a brass band.” 

Suppose I present you with two more 
guests,” said Mrs. Faulkner. 

“ Oh,” cried Dorothy, do you know of 
anybody ? Who are they ? ” 

“You may not like them altogether. They 
are two ladies who are now over at the Horton 
House. They are not enjoying it there, and 
they asked me to let them know if I found 
any place which I thought they would like. 
I’m sure they would like it here, and I know 
they would be glad to come ; but, to be honest 
about it, they are a little fussy in some ways. 
They are spinsters, from Boston, and though 
they are refined and well-bred ladies, they are 
sometimes a little exacting in their require- 
ments.” 


234 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


I wouldn't mind what their requirements 
Were, if I could meet them to their satisfac- 
tion." 

You mustn't take that stand too strictly, 
Dorothy dear ; it is well to try to give your 
guests satisfaction, but some requirements are 
unreasonable, and it is a mistake to grant 
them. If these ladies come, you must exercise 
your judgment in your treatment of them, for 
they're the kind who are quite likely to im- 
pose on your good nature." 

“ Do you think they would come ? How 
can I find out about them ? " 

Yes, I'm sure they would come ; and if 
you wish me to, I will write to them." 

Oh, thank you ; I wish you would, 
please ; that is, after I have spoken to 
grandma, and to the other children about it. 
What are their names ? " 

Van Arsdale. Miss Marcia and Miss 
Amanda. They are quite as imposing as their 
names sound ; but you need not be really 
afraid of them. Remember the Faulkners 
will always protect you from their ferocity." 

Dorothy laughed; and kissing her good 


AMBITIONS 


235 


friend, ran away to find the other children. 
Having gathered them together, they all went 
up to Grandma Dorrance^s room for a caucus. 

“ It’s a new plan ! ” exclaimed Dorothy, 
perching herself on grandma’s bureau. As a 
rule, the more excited the Dorrances were, the 
higher seats they selected. At present the 
twins were sitting on the headboard of the 
bed, and Fairy was making unsuccessful en- 
deavors to climb up on the mantelpiece. 

Grandma Dorrance, well accustomed to 
these gymnastics, sat in her easy chair, and 
placidly awaited Dorothy’s further announce- 
ment. 

You see,” Dorothy went on, “ we’ve made, 
and we are making a great success of our 
boarders. I’ve just had a talk with Mrs. 
Faulkner and she’s quite satisfied ; and good- 
ness knows we are.” 

“ Yes,” said Fairy, from a heap of sofa-pil- 
lows into which she had just tumbled, I do 
think they are the loveliest people. Why, 
Mr. Faulkner says he’s going to send to New 
York for a book, a-purpose for me. It’s a 
lovely book, all about bugs and slugs and ear- 


236 THE DOERANCE DOMAIN 

wigs. We went walking yesterday, and he 
showed me the funny little houses where 
beetles and things live in. Oh, he is a nice 
man ! 

Yes,^^ said Dorothy, starting afresh ; it^s 
a great success all around ; and therefore, my 
beloved brethren, this is my plan. If two 
boarders are good, four boarders are twice as 
good ; and so, what do you think of taking 
two more guests into our hotel ? 

At the same rates ? ’’ asked Lilian. 

Yes,’’ said Dorothy, at the same rates. 
Just think ! that will give us sixty dollars a 
week income, and it won’t cost us much 
more than that to live, even with four 
boarders.” 

Hooray ! ” cried Leicester, flinging a pil- 
low up in the air, and catching it on his 
head, hooray for the great financier ! pro- 
prietor of the Dorrance Domain ! ” 

This was followed by a series of ear-splitting 
cheers ; a performance in which the Dorrances 
had indulged but seldom during the past 
week ; but just now the occasion really seemed 
to demand it. 


AMBITIOI^^S 


237 


Who are your millionaire friends ? asked 
Leicester, “ and when do they arrive ? 

Oh, they don’t know yet themselves, that 
they’re coming,” said Dorothy, airily ; “ and 
they’re two ladies, and their name is Van 
Arsdale, and they’re very aristocratic, and 
they want to be waited on every minute, and 
I’m sure they won’t want any of us to make 
a speck of noise while they’re here.” 

A long low growl from Lilian, started the 
Dorrance groan, and the other three joined in 
with such force and energy, that the next day 
Mr. Faulkner inquired privately of grandma 
the meaning of the fearful sounds he had 
heard the day before. 

When they were quiet again, Dorothy ex- 
plained the whole thing rationally, and they 
were all much pleased with her plan. 

Grandma feared that the added respon- 
sibility would be too much for her oldest 
granddaughter; but the rest all promised to 
help, and the girls agreed that they could do 
even more of the parlor and dining-room work, 
and so give Tessie more time to help Kathleen 
in the kitchen. 


238 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

I suppose the Van Arsdale ladies will 
register,” said Leicester, with a sudden re- 
membrance of his last experience as a clerk. 

“ Yes, of course,” said Dorothy ; and we 
mustn’t giggle this time, either. I’m not at 
all sure they’ll come, but I hope they will ; 
and of course, if they do they must be received 
properly.” 


CHAPTEE XIX 


THE VAN AKSDALE LADIES 

T he Van Arsdale ladies did decide to 
come. On the receipt of Mrs. Faulk- 
ner’s note they concluded that the 
Dorrance Domain was just the place for them, 
and they immediately began to make prepa- 
rations for leaving the Horton House. 

Though it’s a very queer thing, Amanda,” 
the elder Miss Van Arsdale said to her sister, 
it’s a very queer thing for a young girl to be 
proprietor of a hotel. I must confess I don’t 
understand it. And I’m not sure I want 
to be mixed up with any such ridiculous 
doings.” 

But Mrs. Faulkner says that it’s all right ; 
and that we four will be the only boarders. 
That seems to me very exclusive. You know 
the Faulkners are all right, — her mother was 
a Frelinghuysen. I’m not afraid to risk it, as 
long as they recommend it.” 

239 


240 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

“ Well, well try it for a week, as Mrs. 
Faulkner advised ; and if we don’t like the 
girl proprietor, we won’t have to stay any 
longer.” 

“ I don’t know what she can be, I’m sure. 
She can’t be of our kind.” 

Judging from the effect presented to the eye, 
the Van Arsdale ladies and Dorothy Dorrance 
were not of the same kind. 

They were both elderly spinsters of the type 
that looks older than it really is, yet tries to 
seem younger. They were tall and spare with 
high cheek bones, and aquiline, aristocratic 
noses. These noses seemed to turn up at 
everything ; and though literally they didn’t 
turn up at all, yet the effect of turning up 
was always there. Their large, light blue 
eyes were capable of a powerful and penetrat- 
ing gaze, that was apt to be extremely discon- 
certing to the object of their stare. Both 
ladies had really beautiful hair of a soft, gray 
color, which they wore rolled over high 
pompadours. They were wealthy, and though 
economical and even penurious in some re- 
spects, each possessed an inordinate love of 


THE VAN AESDALE LADIES 241 

dress, and was willing to spend large sums for 
gorgeous fabrics made up in the latest styles. 
The incongruity of these middle aged and far 
from beautiful spinsters, trailing around soft 
exquisite robes of dainty coloring, and ex- 
quisitely made, afforded much scope for won- 
derment and curiosity wherever they went. 

But the sisters cared little or nothing for the 
comments passed upon them. They bought 
their clothes, and wore them, purely for 
their own selfish enjoyment; and met with 
stares of cold contempt, the half-sarcastic 
praises offered by some daring ladies at the 
hotel. 

The day that the Van Arsdales were ex- 
pected at the Dorrance Domain, Dorothy and 
Leicester were prepared to receive them as 
they had the others. Lilian and Fairy were 
allowed to witness the performance this time, 
on the strict conditions that they were not to 
laugh, and none of the four were to look at 
each other. 

And so when the Horton House stage came 
over for the second time. Grandma Dorrance, 
the three Dorrance girls, and the two Faulk- 


242 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

ners were on the veranda, while Leicester 
stood nobly at his post in the office. 

Mr. Hickox appeared duly, and made every- 
thing all right as usual. But when he assisted 
the Van Arsdale ladies out of the stage, he 
remarked to himself that his wife would 
certainly be surprised if she could see them 
dresses. 

The elder Miss Van Arsdale wore a silk of 
the exquisite shade known as pastel blue ; it 
was made with a jaunty little jacket, opening 
over an elaborate white lace waist. A long 
gold chain hung around her neck, from which 
depended innumerable lockets, charms, pen- 
cils, purses and vinaigrettes, in a bewildering 
array. Her blue hat was decked with white 
ostrich plumes, and though Dorothy had 
been prepared by Mrs. Faulkner for this dis- 
play, yet she had not expected quite such a 
gorgeous spectacle. 

Miss Amanda Van Arsdale followed her 
sister ; she wore a liberty silk gown of an old 
rose color, and a hat with long black ostrich 
feathers. She wore no necklace, but from her 
belt was suspended a large square bag made 


THE VAN AKSDALE LADIES 


243 


entirely of overlapping plates of gold, in 
which doubtless she carried the various im- 
pedimenta that her sister exhibited. 

Though over-elaborate, these costumes were 
made in the latest fashion, and they looked 
like beautiful and costly gowns, which by 
some absurd mistake had been put on the 
wrong wearers. 

The two advanced with a haughty and 
somewhat supercilious air, and Mr. and Mrs. 
Faulkner rose to greet them. Introductions 
to the Dorrances followed, and then Miss Van 
Arsdale raised her lorgnon, and treated Doro- 
thy to a prolonged inspection. 

And you are the proprietor of this hotel ? 
she said. 

Yes,'^ said Dorothy, smiling ; I am.’' 

“ Well,” said Miss Van Arsdale, “ you can’t 
fool me. You look to me quite capable of 
being the proprietor of anything.” 

And somehow, in spite of her peculiar ap- 
pearance and her brusque ways, Dorothy felt 
at once a decided liking for Miss Marcia Van 
Arsdale. 

Mrs. Faulkner gave a little nod of satisfac- 


244 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


tion as she saw the good understanding be- 
tween these two, and Mr. Faulkner said, 
genially : 

'‘Yes, we think our proprietor a very ca- 
pable young woman. 

Then Dorothy ushered the ladies in to the 
office and paused at the desk. 

Leicester confessed afterwards that he al- 
most fell off his stool when he saw Dorothy 
bringing in two Birds of Paradise, with their 
feathers freshly painted. But at the time he 
preserved a straight face, and politely offered 
the register and the pen. 

Miss Marcia, in a bold, dashing hand, 
signed for them both, and then Dorothy went 
herself to their rooms with them, — the faith- 
ful Hickox bringing up the rear. 

On reaching the rooms, Dorothy offered to 
assist the ladies in removing their hats and 
veils, but Miss Marcia only stared at her. 
" Send me a maid,” she said ; " a lady^s maid.” 

Then Dorothy, who was acting under Mrs. 
Faulkner’s direction, said quietly : 

" Miss Van Arsdale, this is not a fully 
equipped hotel, and we do not have ladies’ 


THE VAN AESDALE LADIES 245 

maids. The chambermaid, Tessie, will at- 
tend to your rooms, and such outside service 
as you may require. Also, my sisters and I 
will be glad to help you occasionally, as we 
often help one another. But a regular ladies’ 
maid to assist at your toilet, we cannot pro- 
vide. May I help you unpin your veil? ” 
Miss Marcia Van Arsdale looked at Dorothy 
again through her glasses. 

‘‘ You’re the right sort,” she said, “ and I 
like your plain speaking. I’m plain-spoken 
myself. We’ll get along all right, and I shall 
send for my parrot.” 

Oh,” exclaimed Dorothy, have you a 
parrot ? ” 

Yes, a very beautiful and valuable bird. 
But I never take her anywhere, until I know 
just what sort of a place it’s going to be. I 
shall send for her to-morrow.” 

Not knowing the high esteem in which 
Miss Van Arsdale held her parrot, Dorothy 
did not fully appreciate the magnitude of this 
compliment. So she merely said, We shall 
be very glad to welcome Polly.” 

“ I do not allow her to be called Polly,” 


246 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

said Miss Van Arsdale, with a sudden return 
to her supercilious manner. My bird’s name 
is Mary, — and I strongly disapprove of nick- 
names of any sort.” 

A parrot named Mary struck Dorothy as 
very funny, but she was learning to control 
her sense of humor when necessary, and she 
replied : Very well. Miss Van Arsdale, we 
shall be glad to welcome Mary.” 

“ Thank you,” said Miss Van Arsdale, form- 
ally ; “ and I will ask you to have her cage 
moved about at my direction, during the day, 
in accordance with the sun and the weather.” 

Dorothy considered a minute, and con- 
cluded that this was one of the times to 
humor Miss Van Arsdale. 

So she said, “ I will see to it that the cage 
is placed wherever you desire.” 

The repetition of this conversation to the 
others caused great hilarity. 

Mary ! ” cried Leicester ; a parrot called 
Mary ! but I should not dare be so familiar 
with the bird as to call her Mary. I shall 
say Miss Mary, and shall always address her 
with my best dancing-school bow.” 


THE VAN AESDALE LADIES 


247 


The parrot arrived duly, and proved to be 
such a superior bird, and so interesting and at- 
tractive, that the children all fell in love with 
her. The name of Polly was entirely un- 
suited to such a dignified creature, and Mary 
seemed far more appropriate. 

The bird’s plumage was of brilliant color- 
ing, and Lilian declared that the Van Arsdale 
ladies copied their own clothes from Miss 
Mary’s. The parrot was an exceedingly fine 
talker, and readily picked up new phrases. 

Whenever the Van Arsdale ladies entered 
the room, Mary would remark, “ Hurrah for 
Miss Marcia ! ” or, “ Hurrah for Miss 
Amanda ! ” as the case might be. This hur- 
rahing was quite in line with the Dor- 
rances’ own mode of expression, and they 
soon taught Mary to hurrah for each of them 
by name. 

Although on the whole, the Misses Van 
Arsdale were satisfactory boarders, they were 
far more difficult than the easy-going Faulk- 
ners. Miss Marcia had a most irritating way 
of popping out of her room, and calling over 
the banister, Clerk, clerk ! ” 


248 


THE DOERANCE DOMAIN 


Since the moment of registration, she had 
looked upon Leicester as the official clerk of 
the hotel, and applied to him a dozen times a 
day for things that she wanted or thought 
she wanted. 

Usually these applications were made by 
screaming from the head of the staircase. 
Sometimes the request was for stationery, — 
again for hot water, warm water, cold water, 
or ice water. Miss Amanda, too, made similar 
demands, and was given to calling for a glass 
of milk at five o’clock in the morning, or a 
few sandwiches after everybody had retired 
for the night. 

But Dorothy was learning that the way to 
success is not always a primrose path, and she 
cheerfully did her best to accede to such of 
these demands as she considered just and 
reasonable. And she tried, too, to look at 
the justice and reasonableness from the 
standpoint of her guests’ rather than her own 
opinions. 

The children had agreed that whenever 
Miss Marcia desired Mary’s cage moved, any 
one of the four was to do it. And it was 


THE VAK AESDALE LADIES 


249 


fortunate that the task was thus divided, for 
Miss Marcia was fussy, and twenty times a 
day, or more, one of the Dorrances might be 
seen carrying the large cage from the hall to 
the veranda, from the veranda to the parlor, 
from the parlor to the upper balcony, and 
so on. 

But as careful attention to Mary’s welfare 
was one of the principal conditions of the 
Van Arsdales’ continued stay at the Dorrance 
Domain, and too, as the children were one 
and all devoted to the bird, this work was not 
objected to. 

Dorothy was most anxious to keep her 
four boarders through the rest of the sum- 
mer. For the plan was working success- 
fully, and though providing a well-spread 
and even bounteous table, Dorothy found 
she could save a little money. She was 
not avaricious nor mercenary, but she longed 
to be able, at the close of the season, to pre- 
sent Grandma Dorrance with at least a small 
sum of money, to help pay their winter ex- 
penses. 

And so, when Miss Marcia one day made a 


250 THE DOEEAKCE DOMAIN 

proposition to her, Dorothy hailed it with 
delight. 

The suggestion was that Miss Van Arsdale 
should ask her niece to come up to the Dor- 
rance Domain to board, and to bring her 
whole family. 

The family consisted of Mrs. Black, three 
small children and two nurses ; Mr. Black 
might possibly come up occasionally, but 
would remain only a few days at a time. 

Children ! Dorothy remembered only too 
well, how children were objected to in board- 
ing-houses, and she wondered if she dare 
undertake to have them in her hotel. She 
realized, too, that six or seven more people 
would necessitate some radical changes in her 
methods, and in her household appointments. 
Indeed, it meant a change from an experiment 
to the real thing. It meant assuming obliga- 
tions much more formal than she was under 
towards her present guests. 

On the other hand, Mrs. Black was wealthy, 
Miss Van Arsdale said, and quite willing to 
pay generously for all she received. 

I want to do it, Miss Marcia,” said Doro- 


THE VAN AESDALE LADIES 


251 


thy, — “ I want to do it very much ; but it is a 
big question to decide. So 111 take twenty- 
four hours to think it over, and to discuss it 
with the others, and to-morrow I will let you 
know.^’ 


CHAPTER XX 


A REAL HOTEL 

A t the family conference on the subject, 
Grandma Dorrance said No. The 
gentle old lady was more than usually 
decided, and she said, that while the Faulk- 
ners and Van Arsdales were charming people, 
and more like visitors than boarders, a family 
of children, with nurses, was an altogether 
different matter, and meant far more trouble 
and complications than Dorothy could realize. 
Oh, grannymother dear,” said Dorothy, 
1 donT think so. Miss Marcia says that 
Mrs. Black is a lovely lady, not a bit fussy ; 
and children and nurses can’t be as much 
responsibility as grown people. Why, they 
wouldn’t be critical at all.” 

Not critical, perhaps, but far more trouble- 
some in their own way.” 

Oh, I don’t know,” said Leicester ; “ the 
reason people didn’t want us children in 

252 


A EEAL HOTEL 


253 


boarding-houses was because we made so much 
noise. Now we don’t care how much noise 
these kids make, and there’s room enough for 
the people who do care, to get away from the 
racket.” 

“ We would have to have more servants,” 
said Lilian ; “ and wouldn’t that cut down 
the profits a good deal ? ” 

I’ve been thinking about that,” said Dor- 
othy, “ and I’ve come to this conclusion. If 
we should take all these people, we would 
have to get another chambermaid, and another 
helper in the kitchen. A young girl to pare 
the vegetables, and help with the dish wash- 
ing. Of course with so many extra people, 
more waitresses will be necessary ; but as you 
say, Lilian, if we hire a lot of servants it will 
make our profits pretty slim. And so I pro- 
pose that we three girls wait on the table.” 

“ Oh, no, children,” cried Grandma Dor- 
rance ; I won’t allow anything of that sort ! ” 

“ Now wait a minute, grandma,” said Doro- 
thy ; “ don’t say things that you’ll just have 
to take back afterwards. There is no disgrace 
at all in waiting on a table. Lots of college 


254 THE BOEEANCE DOMAIN 

girls and boys do it right along, in the col- 
leges, — and they go to summer hotels, too, 
and wait on the tables there. Now we chil- 
dren want to earn some money to help you ; 
after you’ve taken care of us all these years, 
I’m sure it’s no more than right. And if 
this way of earning money isn’t easier and 
pleasanter than going into a store. I’ll give 
up. What do the rest of you say ? ” 

“ I say, let’s go ahead,” declared Leicester ; 
if the four of us agree, we can persuade 
grandma. She never really refused us any- 
thing in our lives. And as to waiting on the 
table, I’d just as leave do it myself, as not. 
As you say. Dot, lots of college fellows do it, 
and it’s no more disgrace than being president. 
And then we can all eat by ourselves after- 
wards, and have a jolly old time.” 

“ I’d love to wait on the table,” said Fairy ; 
I think it would be gorgeous fun. Shall we 
all wear caps, and aprons with big white wings 
sticking out of the shoulders ? ” 

No,” said Dorothy, not caps. We’ll wear 
white aprons, but not with shoulder-ruffles.” 

I shall have shoulder-ruffles on mine,” 


A EEAL HOTEL 


255 


said Leicester, decidedly ; and I shall wear 
a cap, too” 

Even grandma laughed at this ; but Doro- 
thy said, No, Less, I don’t want you to wait 
on the table, at least not until we really 
need you. We girls can do it, with Tessie’s 
help.” 

Well, what can I do ? ” said Leicester ; “ it 
won’t take all my time to register the people 
who come.” 

There’ll be enough for you to do, old fel- 
low,” said Dorothy ; “ you can go to market 
every day, and answer Miss Marcia’s calls, and 
move Mary around. Then if you have any 
time left, you can amuse the three Black 
babies.” 

“Pickaninnies, are they?” said Leicester; 
“ then I’ll fill them up on watermelon.” 

Although Grandma Dorrance weakened 
somewhat in her disapproval of the plan, yet 
it was not until Mrs. Faulkner was called in, 
and her opinion asked, that grandma gave an 
entire consent. 

Mrs. Faulkner was so sweet and sensible 
about the whole matter, and so judicious in 


256 


THE DOEEANOE DOMAIN 


her advice and suggestions, that grandma 
was much influenced by her view of the 
case. 

Mrs. Faulkner quite agreed with Dorothy 
about the girls acting as waitresses, and 
strongly approved of the children’s desire to 
add to their finances. 

She also advised Dorothy to charge good 
prices for the accommodation of the children 
and nurses, because, she said, they were quite 
as great a responsibility in their way, as Mrs. 
Black herself. 

As Dorothy had hoped, Mr. Bill Hodges 
was able to recommend a young girl whom he 
knew, to help Kathleen in the kitchen ; and 
Tessie knew of a competent chambermaid who 
would be glad to come up from the city for a 
while. 

So Dorothy wrote to Mrs. Black, and stated 
frankly what she had to offer, and what her 
rates were, and Mrs. Black telegraphed back 
that she might expect the whole family as 
soon as they could get there. 

And so it came to pass, that again Leicester 
stood behind his open register, and the pro- 


A EEAL HOTEL 


257 


prietor of the Dorrance Domain awaited her 
new relay of guests. 

Though Dorothy was not as much embar- 
rassed this time, as when she expected her 
first guests, and had far less sense of humor 
in the situation, she had a better poise and a 
greater self-confidence, which came necessarily 
from her so far successful experiences. 

But when she saw the cavalcade approach- 
ing, her heart began to beat a little faster, and 
worse than that, she found it impossible to 
keep from laughing. 

The Blacks had come up by rail, and had 
apparently annexed all the available vehicles 
at the station to transport them. There was a 
rockaway first, then two buggies, then two 
large spring wagons, and then a buckboard. 
In the wagons were several trunks, three baby- 
carriages and a number of queer-shaped forms 
carefully wrapped, which afterwards proved 
to be portable bath-tubs, a cradle and a fold- 
ing crib. 

Dorothy began to think that for once, Mr. 
Hickox would not prove equal to the occasion ; 
but he reassured her with his usual statements 


258 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

that it would be all right, and that he would 
look after things. 

The rockaway came first, and Mr. and Mrs. 
Black were helped out by Mr. Hickox in his 
most official manner. 

Mrs. Black was a delicate, helpless-looking 
little lady ; very pretty, in a pale blonde way, 
and seemingly very dependent on her big, 
good-looking husband. Mr. Benjamin Black 
was one of those hearty, cordial-mannered 
men, who make friends at once. 

He brought Mrs. Black up the steps, and 
advancing to Dorothy with outstretched hand, 
said pleasantly : I’m sure this is our pro- 
prietor, Miss Dorrance.” 

Yes,” said Dorothy, put at her ease at 
once, and shaking hands with them both ; 

I’m very glad to see you.” 

“ We are glad to be here,” said Mr. Black. 

The trip was very warm and tiresome. But 
this place is most charming.” 

And so cool and quiet,” said Mrs. Black, 
sinking into a chair, and looking, Dorothy 
thought, as if she never meant to rise again. 

By this time the other vehicles were depos- 


A EEAL HOTEL 


259 


iting their cargoes, both human and freight, 
and for a moment Dorothy wondered if the 
Dorrance Domain were large enough to hold 
the entire collection. 

One of the nurses was French, and was talk- 
ing volubly in her own language to the two 
children who held her by the hands. One of 
these children, a 'girl of five years, was answer- 
ing her nurse, also in French ; while the other, 
a younger boy, was crying loudly, but whether 
in French or English, nobody could quite 
make out. 

The other nurse was a large and stout Ger- 
man woman, who was crooning a German 
folk-song to the baby she carried in her arm. 
Apparently the baby cared little for German 
music, for the small infant was pounding its 
nurse^s face with both tiny fists, and making 
strange gurgling sounds which might be 
caused either by joy or grief. 

All these people came up on the veranda ; 
and after persuading one of the drivers to stay 
and help him, Mr. Hickox began to carry the 
luggage into the house. 

With a successful effort at composure, Doro- 


260 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

thy paid no attention to the children and 
nurses, and conducted Mr. Black to the office. 

Ah,’’ said he to Leicester ; “ how do you 
do, sir, how do you do ? Fine place you have 
up here. Very fine place. Glad I brought 
my family. Hope they won’t make you any 
trouble.” 

As the commotion on the veranda seemed 
to increase each moment, Leicester did not 
echo this hope, but spoke pleasantly to Mr. 
Black, and turned the register towards him. 

The gentleman registered Mr. and Mrs. 
Benjamin Black, Miss Sylvia Black, Master 
Montmorency Black, Miss Gwendolen Gen- 
evieve Black, Mile. Celestine, and Fraiilein 
Lisa Himmelpfennig. 

Leicester looked proudly at this array of 
names which reached half-way down the page, 
and ringing for Mr. Hickox, he gave him the 
keys of the rooms set aside for the party, and 
the caravan started up-stairs. 

Dorothy went with them, both because she 
thought it proper to do so, and because she 
felt an interest in seeing the family properly 
distributed. 


A EEAL HOTEL 


261 


Leicester left his official desk, and found 
plenty to do in disposing of the baby-carriages, 
and the other paraphernalia. 

It was strange, Dorothy thought to herself 
as she came down-stairs, how much more 
easily, and as a matter of course she took the 
Blacks^ arrival than she had the previous ones. 

I must have been born for a hotel pro- 
prietor,^^ she said to herself ; ‘‘ for I don^t feel 
any worry or anxiety about the dinner or any- 
thing. I just know everything will be all 
right.^’ 

As she reached the foot of the staircase, she 
met Fairy, who was just carrying Mary's cage 
into the north parlor. 

Hurrah for Dorothy ! " croaked the par- 
rot, catching sight of her. 

Ah, Miss Mary, you'll have a lot of new 
names to hurrah for now, and jaw-breakers at 
that. I shouldn't wonder if they'd break 
even a parrot's jaw, and they may bend that 
big yellow beak of yours." 

“ She can learn them," said Fairy, confi- 
dently. ‘‘ Miss Mary can learn anything. 
She’s the cleverest, smartest, educatedest bird 


262 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

in the whole world. There’s nothing she can’t 
learn.” 

Pretty Mary,” said the bird in its queer, 
croaking voice ; “ move Mary’s cage. Hurrah 
for Fairy ! ” 

There, just hear that ! ” exclaimed Fairy, 
proudly ; “ now I rather guess a bird like that 
could learn to hurrah for anybody.” 

“ Well,” said Dorothy, “ but you don’t know 
yet that these children’s names are Gwendolen 
Genevieve, and Montmorency.” 

What ! ” cried Fairy, nearly dropping the 
cage, “ of course no parrot could learn such 
names as those.” 

“ And Miss Marcia objects to nicknames,” 
said Dorothy. “These new people aren’t a 
bit like their aunts, though.” 

“ When are they coming down ? ” asked 
Lilian, who had joined her sisters ; “ I wish 
they’d get that procession of baby-carriages 
started. I want to see the show.” 

At that moment, the French nurse, Celes- 
tine, came down-stairs with the two older 
children. The little ones had been freshly 
dressed, and looked extremely pretty. Sylvia 


A EEAL HOTEL 


263 


was in crisp white muslin, with fluttering 
bows of pink ribbon, and Montmorency wore 
a boyish garb of white piqu4. 

“Won’t you speak to me?” asked Lilian, 
putting out her hand to the little girl. 

“ No,” said the child, hiding her face in her 
nurse’s apron ; “ do away. I’s af ’aid.” 

“ Mees Sylvie, — she is afraid of everything,” 
said Celestine ; “ she is a naughty — naughty, — 
a bad ma’amselle.” 

“ No, no,” cried Sylvia ; “ me not bad. Me 
dood ma’selle.” 

“ Me dood ! ” announced three year old 
Montmorency ; “ me no ky. On’y babies ky. 
Me bid man ! ” 

“ You are good,” said Fairy, “ and you’re a 
nice big man. Come with me, and I’ll show 
you where I’m going to put this pretty green 
bird.” 

“ Ess,” said the little boy, and grasping hold 
of Fairy’s frock he willingly trotted along by 
her side. 

Whereupon Sylvia, overcoming her bashful- 
ness, concluded she, too, wanted to go with 
the green bird. 


264 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


So Celestine and her charges accompanied 
the Dorrance girls to the north parlor, and 
there they found the Van Arsdale ladies, who 
sat waiting in state to receive their newly ar- 
rived relatives. 


CHAPTEE XXI 


UPS AND DOWNS 

T he days that followed were crammed 
full of both business and pleasure. 
Dorothy rose each morning, buoyant 
with eager hope that all would go well, and 
went to bed each night, rejoicing in the fact 
that in the main it had done so. 

There was plenty of work to do ; but it was 
cheerfully done, and many hands made it 
hght, and comparatively easy. There were 
many small worries and anxieties, but they 
were overcome by perseverance and determina- 
tion. 

The Dorrance pride was inherent in all 
four children, and having set their hand to 
the plough, not only were they unwilling to 
turn back, but they were determined to make 
the best possible furrow. Although Dorothy 
was at the helm, and all important matters 
were referred to her, yet the others had their 

265 


266 THE HOEEANCE DOMAIN 

appointed tasks and did them each day, 
promptly and well. 

Now that the Domain had assumed more 
of the character of a hotel, the Dorrances saw 
less of their boarders, socially. Also the 
large dining-room was used, and the guests 
seated in families at various tables. This 
gave a far more hotel-like air to the house, 
and though perhaps not quite as pleasant, it 
seemed to Dorothy the right thing to do. 

The Faulkners were ideal boarders ; the 
Van Arsdales, though more exacting, were 
just and considerate ; but the Blacks, as 
Leicester expressed it, were a caution. 

Mrs. Black was a continual and never-paus- 
ing fusser. Mr. Black remained two days to 
get them settled, and then returned to the 
city. Immediately after his departure, Mrs. 
Black insisted on changing her room. 

“ I didn’t want to bother my husband about 
it,” she said to Dorothy, for he thinks I’m 
so fickle-minded ; but truly, it isn’t that. 
You see, the sun gets around to this room at 
just half-past three, and that’s the time I’m 
always taking my nap, and so of course it 


UPS AND BOWm 


267 


wakes me up. Now you see, I can't stand 
that, — when I came up here for rest and re- 
cuperation. And so, my dear Miss Dorrance, 
if you don't mind, I'll just take some other 
room. I'm sure you have plenty of them, 
and if that big, strong Mr. Hickox will help 
move my things, I'm sure it will be no trouble 
at all. Perhaps your sister Fairy will look 
after the children a little bit, while Celestine 
and Lisa assist me. The baby is asleep, and 
perhaps she won't waken, but if she does, 
would Miss Lilian mind holding her for just 
a little while ? or she might take her out in 
her baby-carriage for a bit of a ride. I’m 
sorry to be troublesome, but you see for your- 
self, I really can’t help it.” 

If Mrs. Black really was sorry to be trouble- 
some, she must have been sorry most of the 
time. For she was everlastingly making 
changes of some sort, or desiring attention from 
somebody, and she quite imposed on the good 
nature of the younger Dorrances, by begging 
them to take care of her children upon all too 
frequent occasions. Once, even Leicester was 
surprised to find himself wheeling Montmo- 


268 THE DOEEAKCE DOMAIN 

rency up and down the veranda, while Mrs. 
Black finished a letter to go in the mail. 

The Van Arsdale ladies also were under the 
calm, but imperious sway of their fragile- 
looking niece. It was nothing unusual to see 
Miss Marcia and Miss Amanda each holding 
one of the fretful children, and making frantic 
endeavors to amuse their young relatives. 
The nurses were competent, but Mrs. Black so 
often had errands for them that their young 
charges were frequently in the care of other 
people. 

Dorothy talked this matter over with Mrs. 
Faulkner, and as usual was wisely counseled 
by that lady. She advised, that in so far as 
Lilian and Fairy wished to play with the 
Black children, they should do so ; but in no 
way were they under obligation to assist Mrs. 
Black in the care of her little ones. And, if 
she requested this at times when the girls 
had duties to perform, or indeed at a time 
when they wished to take their recreation, 
Mrs. Faulkner said they were perfectly justi- 
fied in asking Mrs. Black to excuse them. 

Dorothy told this to her sisters, who were 


UPS AKD DOWNS 


269 


thereby much relieved ; for though fond of 
the children, they did not, as Lilian said, wish 
to be pushing around those Black babies in 
perambulators from morning till night. But 
somehow the babies caused a great deal of 
commotion, and Dorothy began to understand 
why boarding-house keepers preferred grown 
people. 

One day as the Dorrance girls sat on the 
veranda, Celestine came running to them, 
wringing her hands, after her French method 
of showing great dismay, and exclaiming : 

Mees Sylvie, — she have fallen into ze 
lake ! ’’ 

What I exclaimed the three girls at once, 
jumping up, and running towards the lake; 

where did she fall in ? How did it hap- 
pen?^’ 

Non, non, — not zat way ! zis a-way,^^ and 
Celestine started down a path that did not 
lead towards the lake. I have pull her out ; 
she is not drown, — but she is, — oh, so veF 
soil, — so, vat you say, — muddy, oh, so much 
muddy ! ” 

“ Never mind the mud if the child isn’t 


270 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

drowned/^ cried Lilian ; “ but this is not the 
way to the lake. You said she fell in the lake.^^ 
Not ze gran’ lake, mees, but ze small lake, 
— ze ver’ small, p’tit lake.” 

“ Oh, she means nothing but a mud- 
puddle ! ” cried Fairy, who had run ahead of 
the rest, and found Sylvia lying on the grass, 
chuckling with laughter, while her pretty 
clothes were a mass of mud and wet. 

“ I failed in ! ” she cried, gleefully ; I failed 
in all myself, when C’lestine wasn’t looking. 
Ain’t I a funny dirl ? ” 

No, I don’t think it’s funny,” began 
Dorothy, and then she paused, realizing that 
it was not her duty to reprimand Mrs. Black’s 
children, and, too, Sylvia certainly did look 
funny. Not only her white dress, but her 
face and hands, and her dainty white slippers 
and stockings were bespattered with brown 
mud, and Lilian said that she looked like a 
chocolate Eclair. 

Another day, Celestine approached Dorothy 
with the pleasing news that, “ Master Mont- 
morency, he must have upsetted the blanc- 
mange.” 


UPS AND DOWNS 


271 


Dorothy flew to verify this statement, and 
found that the son of the house of Black had 
indeed overturned a large dish of Bavarian 
cream, which Kathleen had made for that 
evening's dessert. It had been set out on the 
back porch to cool, and though protected by a 
wire screen cover, the enterprising youth had 
succeeded in wrecking the whole afiair. 

Dorothy’s record for good-nature was seri- 
ously menaced by this mischievous prank, and 
she would probably have told Mrs. Black her 
honest opinion of the transgressing infant ; 
but Kathleen’s view of the case disarmed her. 

Whisht, now, darlint,” said the big peace- 
maker, niver you mind. I’ll whishk up 
another bowl full in a minute, shure. The 
shpalpeen didn’t mane anny harrum. Troth, 
he’s nothin’ but a baby. Wasn’t, ye wan yer- 
silf wanst ? Go ’long wid ye, now, and lave 
me to me wurruk.” 

This Dorothy was glad enough to do, and 
she walked away, feeling that Kathleen had 
taught her a lesson in making allowance for 
the unconsciousness of a child’s wrongdoing. 

When she reached the west veranda she 


272 


THE DOEEAI^CE DOMAIN 


found the whole family and all the guests 
gathered there in a great state of excitement. 

Following Lilian’s pointing finger with her 
eyes, she saw Mary, the parrot, perched calmly 
on a high limb of an evergreen-tree. 

“ How did she get out ? ” cried Dorothy, 
aghast. 

Sylvia opened the cage door,” answered 
Lilian, “ when no one was looking, — and 
Mary just walked out. You should have seen 
her climbing that tree. She went up branch 
by branch.” 

The parrot looked triumphantly down at 
the crowd, and remarked, Mary is high up ; 
Mary is very high up.” 

Come down, Mary,” said Dorothy, be- 
seechingly ; come down, Mary, — pretty Mary, 
— come down to Dorothy.” 

“ Hurrah for Dorothy ! ” cried the parrot, — 
hurrah for Sylvia I hurrah for the Dorrance 
Domain ! ” 

This last cheer had been taught to Mary by 
Leicester, after many long and patient lessons, 
and never before had Mary spoken it so plainly 
and distinctly. 


UPS AND DOWNS 


273 


By this time the Van Arsdale ladies were in 
tears ; Fairy, too, was weeping, for she felt 
sure Mary would fly away and never come 
back. The Black children required very little 
encouragement to start their lachrymal glands, 
and seeing the others’ tears, immediately be- 
gan to howl in various keys. 

Don’t cry, don’t cry ! ” said Mary, from 
her high perch. 

Come down, Mary,” said Dorothy, coax- 
ingly, and showing an apple and a cracker 
which she had procured ; ‘‘ come down and 
get your dinner.” 

But no urgings would induce the bird to 
come down. She cocked her eye wickedly, 
and hurrahed for everybody in turn, but 
utterly refused to descend. 

Ach, donnerblitzen ! ” exclaimed German 
Lisa. Denn du hist ein dumkopf ! Kommst 
du jetz hinein ! ” 

“ Ciel ! what a bird it is ! ” wailed Celestine, 
wringing her hands ; “ah, Marie, belle Marie, 
come down, cherie ! ” 

But the French coaxing, and the German 
scolding had no more effect on Mary than the 


274 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

weeping of the Van Arsdale ladies and the 
screaming of the children. She fluttered her 
wings, and seemed about to depart. Then 
she would look at them again, and with 
her exasperating winks, would hurrah en- 
thusiastically. 

If shell only stay there long enough, per- 
haps I can lasso her,’’ said Leicester, running 
in the house for a string. 

“ No,” said Mr. Faulkner, who followed him 
in, “ I’m afraid that would frighten her ; but 
if you had a butterfly net, with a very long 
handle, we might catch her with that.” 

Just the thing,” said Leicester ; and 
there is one in the storeroom ; I remember 
seeing it there.” 

He brought it, but the handle was not long 
enough ; so Mr. Faulkner proposed that they 
try placing a ladder against another tree near 
by, and then from the top of that, endeavor 
to reach the bird with a net. 

Mary watched the proceedings with great 
interest. Catch Mary ! ” she cried ; “ catch 
pretty Mary ! ” 

'' You bet we will ! ” cried Leicester, and 


UPS A^B DOWNS 


275 


when the ladder was adjusted he climbed to 
the top of it, carrying the long-handled net 
with him. 

They all thought the bird would be fright- 
ened at the net and fly away, or at least at- 
tempt to do so. 

But she seemed to think it a game in which 
she played an important part, and she sat 
quietly on the branch, occasionally remark- 
ing, Catch Mary, pretty Mary ! ” 

With a sure aim, Leicester pushed the net 
towards the bird and brought it down over 
her head, then with a dextrous twist, he 
turned it upside down, with the bird in it, 
and lowered it carefully to Mr. Faulkner, who 
was standing below. At this unexpected in- 
dignity, Mary set up a ferocious squawking, 
the Black children redoubled their yells, and 
the Dorrance children cheered with delight. 

Mary was taken from the net, unharmed, 
and restored to her happy mistress, who de- 
termined to send to town at once for a pad- 
lock for the cage door. 

But though commotions such as these were 
of frequent, almost daily occurrence ; yet 


276 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


when they were not such as to interfere with 
the routine of her household management, 
Dorothy did not allow them to worry her. 

Although usually busy all the morning, she 
found many spare hours for rest and recrea- 
tion in the afternoon ; and the evenings were 
always delightful. The Black children were 
then safely in bed, and could make no trouble. 
The Dorrances were at liberty to be by them- 
selves, or with their boarders, as they wished. 

As Mr. Faulkner played the guitar, and 
Leicester could pick a little on the mandolin, 
and as they all could sing, — or fancied they 
could, — there were often very jolly concerts on 
the veranda, or, on moonlight evenings, out 
in the boat. 

Mr. Black came up every week, and when 
he discovered the array of musical talent 
already there, he brought his banjo, and added 
greatly to the fun. Sometimes on rainy even- 
ings, they would all congregate in the great 
empty ballroom, and play merry games. On 
such occasions, the Blacks and Faulkners 
seemed almost as young, and nearly as noisy 
as the Dorrances. 


UPS AND DOWNS 


277 


One day Leicester came to Dorothy, with a 
letter. 

Jack Harris has just written me,’^ he said, 
“ and he wants to come up here and board for 
a month ; what do you think ? ” 

“ Let him come, by all means,’’ said Doro- 
thy, heartily ; ‘‘ he won’t be a bit of extra 
trouble, and if he will pay our regular rates I 
shall be glad to have him. The Dorrance 
Domain is now a fully established summer 
hotel ; and we are prepared to receive all who 
apply.” 


CHAPTER XXII 


TWO BOYS AND A BOAT 

I T was nearly a week after Leicester had 
written to Jack Harris, telling him that 
he might come up and board at the hotel, 
when, one afternoon, the Dorrance children 
heard queer sounds coming up from the di- 
rection of the dock. 

All four ran to look over the rail of the up- 
per landing, and saw a strange-looking craft 
anchored at the dock. On the dock were two 
boys and Mr. Hickox ; the latter gentleman 
apparently much excited and interested. 

It’s Jack Harris ! ” cried Leicester, “ and 
another fellow with him ; and, oh, I say, girls, 
they’ve got a motor- boat ! ” 

What’s a motor-boat ? ” cried Fairy ; but 
as all four were then flying down the steps 
at a rapid speed, nobody answered her. 

Wondering who the second boy could be, 
and filled with delightful curiosity as to the 

278 


TWO BOYS AND A BOAT 


279 


wonderful motor-boat, the Dorrances reached 
the dock with astonishing rapidity. 

‘‘ Hi, Jack,’^ cried Leicester, “ thought you 
were coming up by train. What a dandy 
boat ! Yours ? ” 

No,” said Jack, whipping off his cap, and 
shaking hands with Dorothy ; it belongs to 
my chum here. Bob Irwin. IVe brought him 
along, Dorothy, and I hope you can take us 
both in. Less said you had plenty of room. 
I would have written, but Bob only decided 
to come at the last minute, and we were so 
busy and excited getting the boat off, that 
I forgot to telegraph, though I meant to 
do so.” 

Bob Irwin was a big, jolly-looking boy, of 
about seventeen or eighteen, and his smile was 
so broad and comprehensive that the Dor- 
rances felt acquainted at once. 

Indeed we have plenty of room,” said 
Dorothy, answering young Irwin’s greeting ; 

and we’re very glad to have you both, — and 
your boat too,” she added, still looking with 
a sort of fascination at the trim little affair. 

She is a jolly little craft,” said Bob Irwin, 


280 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

frankly ; “ I’ve only had her a few weeks. I 
named her Shooting Star^ because she goes like 
one. We came all the way up from Jersey 
City by the canal.” 

All the way ! ” exclaimed Lilian ; what 
fun you must have had coming through the 
locks ! ” 

Well yes, — but there were so many of 
them. The planes were worse, though ; 
Shooting Star didn’t take to those kindly at 
all. However, we’re here ; and if you’ll keep 
us, we’ll all have a good deal of fun on this 
lake.” 

I didn’t know you could come all the way 
by canal,” said Leicester. Are they willing 
to open the locks for you ? ” 

Oh, Bob’s uncle is a Grand High Mogul 
or something in the canal company, and he 
gave us a permit. I tell you it was great fun ; 
the boat goes like a greased arrow.” 

“ Would you like to go for a little spin 
around the lake, now, all of you?” asked 
Bob. 

“ No, — not now,” said Dorothy, looking at 
her watch. We’d love to, but it is too near 


TWO BOYS AND A BOAT 


281 


dinner-time for us to go now. You know, as 
hotel proprietors, we have duties to attend to 
at scheduled hours ; and we must be found at 
our posts.’’ 

Though said with apparent carelessness, this 
was really a brave bit of self-denial on Doro- 
thy’s part. For she was eager to try the 
pretty boat, and, too, there was nearly a half 
hour before her presence at the hotel was actu- 
ally necessary. 

But she had learned by experience that to 
go out on the lake was a proceeding which 
could not be accurately timed, and she knew 
that her duty pointed towards keeping on the 
safe side. Beside this, she must have another 
room put in readiness, for she had expected 
only Jack. 

But I do want to go out in the motor- 
boater,” cried Fairy, dancing around the 
dock, and waving her arms. “ Will you take 
us some other time, Mr. Bob ? ” 

Indeed I will,” said Bob, heartily ; and 
anyway, it’s just as well to take our traps up 
now, and get settled.” 

“ Hickox is your man,” said that long indi- 


282 THE DOERANCE DOMAIN 

vidual, suddenly interrupting his own investi- 
gation of the marvelous boat. Hickox’ll 
cart your truck up the hill. Where might 
itbe?^’ 

Here you are/^ and Bob sprang into the 
Shooting Star and tossed out three suit cases 
and a lot of odds and ends of luggage. But 
we fellows can carry them up.” 

“ No, sir, no, sir ; Hickox’ll look after 
things. It’ll be all right.” 

Jack laughed at the familiar phrases, and 
Bob Irwin looked on with amusement while 
Mr. Hickox stowed the things in his queer- 
looking cart. 

And this is for you and your sisters. Miss 
Dorothy,” said Bob, as he emerged with a 
final parcel. 

There was no mistaking the contents of the 
neatly tied up box of candy ; but it was of 
such a size that it nearly took the girls’ breath 
away. 

Oh, thank you,” cried Dorothy, dimpling 
with smiles. I haven’t had a speck of New 
York candy since I’ve been here. And the 
Woodville gum-drops are so highly colored 


TWO BOYS AND A BOAT 


283 


and so stiff inside, that they’re not a bit of 
fun.” 

“ They were made summer before last, too,” 
said Leicester ; they ought to be sold as 
antiques.” 

“ A whole big box of candy for our very 
own ! ” cried Fairy ; oh, that’s better than 
the promoter-boat, or whatever you call it. 
And part of the candy is my very own, isn’t 
it, Mr. Bob?” 

Yes, indeed ; to do whatever you like with.” 

Then I shall give half of my share to 
Mrs. Hickox. She’ll be so surprised. I don’t 
believe she ever saw any real choklits or 
butter-cuppers.” 

Leicester carried the precious box, and the 
six children climbed the steps to the Dorrance 
Domain. Naturally, Fairy reached the top 
first, and ran up the veranda steps, shouting, 
“ Oh, grannymother ! we’ve got two new board- 
ers, and they came in an automobile-ship, and 
they brought a bushel of candy, real splen- 
diferous New York candy, — and his name is 
Bob ! ” 

Grandma Dorrance had always liked Leices- 


284 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


ter’s friend Jack, and she willingly extended 
her welcome to the pleasant-faced Bob. 

The two boys were a decided addition to 
the gayety of the Dorrance Domain. 

And the Shooting Star proved to be an 
equally desirable adjunct. Instead of rowing 
over to Dolan’s Point each morning for the 
marketing, or harnessing old Dobbin and 
driving there, the swift little motor-boat did 
the errand in less than half the time, and was 
moreover a pleasure and delight. 

Besides this there were merry excursions on 
the lake in the afternoons and evenings. 

One day, when they had started out imme- 
diately after luncheon, and, owing to Mr. 
Black’s expected arrival, were to have a late 
dinner, the six children made an exploring 
tour of the whole lake. 

want to find out,” said Bob, as they 
started ofi*, what feeds this lake. There 
must be several inlets and some of them large 
ones. A lake nine miles long has got to be 
fed by something.” 

This lake is so tame it would eat out of 
your hand,” said Leicester. 


TWO BOYS AND A BOAT 


285 


Even so, I wouldn’t want to feed it,” said 
Dorothy ; “ my present array of table boarders 
is quite enough for me, thank you.” 

“ There is an inlet,” said Lilian, just this 
side of Dolan’s Point. The one that has the 
floating bridge across it, you know.” 

But that isn’t enough to make any im- 
pression on this big lake,” insisted Bob ; there 
must be two or three arms somewhere, and if 
there are, we’ll And them to-day ; for I’m 
going all around the shores of the lake.” 

So the Shooting Star shot ahead, and 
skirted the margin of the lake for miles and 
miles. 

But except the one at Dolan’s Point, no 
inlet of any sort was discovered, and the round 
trip was completed by a crowd of mystifled 
explorers. 

“ It’s the queerest thing ! ” said Bob, whose 
scientific inquiries were prompted by a tena- 
cious mind. ‘‘ The water in Lake Ponetcong 
certainly must come from somewhere.” 

‘‘ I think it rains in,” said Fairy, with a 
sage expression. “ It hasn’t rained much this 
summer, but it rained a lot when we were in 


286 


THE DOEEAHCE DOMAIN 


New York, and I s’pose the water just stayed 
in.’^ 

I think it just was here from the begin- 
ning,’^ said Lilian, and somehow it never 
got away.” 

That would do for some lakes,” said Doro- 
thy ; “ but here, they’re always letting it out 
through the locks ; and it does seem as if it 
would have to be filled up again, some way.” 

That evening the children put the puzzling 
question to Mr. Faulkner. He was a great 
favorite with the crowd of young people, and 
though a scientific man, he was capable of 
making explanations that were entirely com- 
prehensible to their youthful minds. 

They were all interested, though perhaps 
Bob Irwin was more especially so, in learning 
that Lake Ponetcong was fed entirely by 
springs in its bed. 

This phrase pleased the Dorrance children 
very much, as their sense of humor was 
touched by what they chose to call the spring- 
bed of the lake. 

But Bob was more seriously interested, and 
listened attentively to Mr. Faulkner’s descrip- 


TWO BOYS AND A BOAT 


287 


tion of what was an unusual, though not un- 
precedented phenomenon. 

Sometimes Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner accom- 
panied them on their motor-boat trips ; some- 
times, too, Mr. and Mrs. Black went ; hut the 
Van Arsdale ladies refused to be persuaded to 
risk their lives in any such mysterious con- 
trivance. 

The Black children and their nurses were 
taken out once, but upon their return Bob 
Irwin declared himself unwilling ever again 
to carry such an emotional and cosmopolitan 
crowd. The baby shrieked and yelled in 
English, the French nurse and German nurse 
shrieked in their respective languages, and the 
way they all jumped about was really a seri- 
ous menace to safety. 

There seemed to be no end to the energies 
or the resources of the three boys in providing- 
pleasure and entertainment. 

Jack and Bob shared Leicester’s duties as a 
matter of course ; and though Leicester pro- 
tested, the others insisted on helping him in 
whatever he had to do. They froze ice cream, 
they mowed the grass, they split kindling- 


288 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

wood, — and they looked on these things as 
pastimes rather than tasks. They were big, 
strong, good-natured fellows, and firm friends 
and admirers of all the Dorrances. 

Bob declared that although he drew the 
line at pushing the Black babies^ perambula- 
tors, yet he was perfectly willing to act as Miss 
Mary’s escort whenever desired. 

One notable achievement of the boys’, was 
a roof-garden. Jack had discovered the possi- 
bilities of the hotel roof during his earlier 
visit ; and at his proposition it was arranged 
most attractively. 

Small evergreen trees were brought from the 
woods and taken up to the roof where they 
were made to stand about in hedges or clus- 
ters. Rustic chairs, settees and tables were 
found in the storerooms, and rugs were placed 
about. Hammocks were swung, and over the 
top of all was rigged an awning, which could 
be rolled away if desired. 

Chinese lanterns made the place gay by 
night, and flags and bunting formed part of 
the decoration. 

Summer night concerts were often held here. 


TWO BOYS AND A BOAT 


289 


and when Tessie would appear with iced lem- 
onade and cakes and fruit, everybody declared 
that never had there been a hotel so admi- 
rably managed as the Dorrance Domain. 


CHAPTEE XXIII 


AN UNWELCOME PEOPOSITION 

T hough Dorothy enjoyed the fun of 
the motor-boat and the roof-garden, 
and was always happy whether work- 
ing or playing, yet perhaps she liked best of 
all, to lie in her hammock of a summer af- 
ternoon, and read or day-dream as she looked 
across the lake and watched the shadows on 
the distant hills. 

On these occasions she felt sure she could 
be a poet, if she only knew how to express 
properly the fancies that danced through her 
brain. 

Sometimes she would provide herself with 
a pencil and paper, but though she might 
write a line or a phrase, she never could get 
any further. The attempt to put her thoughts 
into words always produced a crude and 
stilted result which she knew instinctively 
was not poetry. 


290 


AN UNWELCOME PEOPOSITION 291 

If I only could learn the wordy part of 
it/^ she said to herself, “ I am sure I have the 
right thoughts to put into a poem.” 

As she lay thinking about all this, one 
warm afternoon, she suddenly heard a voice 
say : Is this a hotel, or isn’t it ? ” 

Dorothy jumped, and sitting up in her 
hammock, saw a strange lady, who had ap- 
parently just walked into the Domain. 

The newcomer was of the aggressive type. 
She was short and stout, with a determined- 
looking face and a rather unattractive per- 
sonal appearance. She wore a short, thick 
brown walking-skirt, and a brown linen shirt- 
waist, and heavy common-sense shoes. A 
plain brown felt hat was tied securely to her 
head by means of a brown veil knotted under 
her chin. She carried in one hand a small 
suit-case, and in the other a stout walking- 
stick. 

Pretty Dorothy, in her fluffy summer 
muslin, looked at the stranger curiously a 
moment, and then, quickly recovering her 
poise, said politely : “ Yes, this is a hotel. 
Are you looking for board ? ” 


292 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

“ No, said the stranger, I am on a tramp. 
In fact I am a tramp, a lady-tramp. I am 
spending the whole summer walking about 
the country, enjoying myself.’^ 

You are fond of walking, then ? ” said 
Dorothy, by way of making conversation. 

No,” I am not,” replied the lady-tramp ; 
“ I am doing it to reduce my flesh, and I am 
enjoying myself because I have succeeded. 
Success is always enjoyable.” 

Yes, it is ; ” and Dorothy herself, felt a 
satisfaction in the thought that she too was 
succeeding in her summer’s work. 

“ My name,” went on her visitor, “ is Lucille 
Dillingham, I tramp all day, and at night I 
stay at any hotel or farmhouse near which I 
happen to find myself And so I want to 
stay at this hotel to-night, and if you will 
tell me where to find the proprietor, I won’t 
trouble you further.” 

I am the proprietor,” said Dorothy, smil- 
ing, for she felt quite sure this statement 
would surprise Miss Lucille Dillingham. 

If that’s a joke,” was the response, I 
can’t see any particular fun in it. But no 


AK UNWELCOME PEOPOSITION 293 

matter, I will inquire at the hotel my- 
self.’^ 

But truly, Miss Dillingham, I am the 
proprietor, and Dorothy stood up and put on 
the most dignified air of which she was ca- 
pable. I am Dorothy Dorrance, and this 
hotel is the property of my grandmother ; but 
I am the acknowledged proprietor, and I 
shall be very glad to talk to you as 
such.’^ 

‘‘ You don^t mean it, child I well if that is 
not the greatest I ever heard of! I am a 
great believer myself in the capability of 
women ; but for a girl like you to run a hotel, 
is one ahead of my experience 1 Tell me all 
about it.’’ 

There isn’t much to tell,” said Dorothy, 
who was not at all pleasantly impressed by 
the air and manner of the lady-tramp, and 
she couldn’t help thinking to herself that the 
tramp was more in evidence than the lady. 

However,” she went on, courteously, “ I 
live here with my grandmother, and my 
brother and two sisters. We have entire 
charge of this hotel, and we try to manage it 


294 THE DOEEAi^CE DOMAIN 

in a way to satisfy our guests and ourselves. 
If you wish to stay for the night, Miss Dil- 
lingham, I am sure we can make you com- 
fortable.^^ 

Miss Dillingham’s eyes sparkled. 

I will do better than that,” she cried ; “ I 
will stay all the time, and I will run the hotel 
for you. I am a splendid manager, and much 
better fitted for that sort of thing than a friv- 
olous young girl like you. Oh, we’ll get 
along famously ! ” 

Dorothy began to wonder whether Miss 
Dillingham might not have escaped from 
some lunatic asylum, but she only said, 

Thank you very much for your kind offer, 
but the hotel is running smoothly, and I 
really can’t see the necessity for any change 
in the administration.” Just at this moment 
Fairy came fiying across the lawn, and fling- 
ing herself into the hammock, drew the sides 
of it together around her athletic little body, 
and with a peculiar kicking motion twisted her- 
self and the hammock over and over in a sort of 
revolving somersault. Then still holding the 
sides she poked up her golden head, crowned 


AN UNWELCOME PEOPOSITION 295 

with its big white bow, and gazed at the 
stranger. 

“ You must ^scuse me,^’ she said, ‘‘ for ’pear- 
ing so unsuspectedly. But I always come 
that way when I am in a hurry, and I’m 
always in a hurry.” 

“ This is my sister Fairy, Miss Dillingham,” 
said Dorothy, and Fairy bounced out of the 
hammock, and gracefully offered her hand to 
the stranger. 

How do you do ? ” she said. I am very 
glad to see you, and I hope you have come to 
stay, ’cause it’s time we had some new board- 
ers. I am ’fraid we are running behind with 
our ’spenses.” 

Dorothy bit her lip to keep from laughing 
at Fairy’s attitude of proprietorship, and Miss 
Dillingham stared at the child in blank 
amazement. 

Ah,” she said, is this another proprietor 
of this very remarkable hotel ? ” 

I’m not purporietor,” said Fairy, my 
sister is that ; and my brother is clerk. I am 
just a general helper, and sometimes I help 
with the babies and the parrot.” 


296 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

Miss Dillingham seemed more and more 
bewildered, but she said, I think you’re all 
lunatics, and need somebody to look after you, 
and straighten you out. I shall stay here for 
the night, and look into this thing. It inter- 
ests me extremely. Pray have you many 
boarders, and are they all as crazy as your- 
selves ? ” 

Dorothy resented this question, but she 
kept her temper under control, and replied, 
“We have a number of boarders and we con- 
sider them quite sane, and they seem to think 
us so. If you wish to stay for the night, I 
will take you to the house at once and give 
you a room.” 

Miss Dillingham gave a sort of exasperated 
sniff, which Dorothy took to mean acquies- 
cence, and they all started for the house. 

Fairy walked backwards in front of the 
others, whirling all the way round, now and 
then, to make sure her path was clear. 

“ Did you really think we were crazy ? ” 
she asked, much interested in the idea. 

“ I did,” replied Miss Dillingham, “and I 
am not yet convinced to the contrary.” 


AN UNWELCOME PEOPOSITION 297 

Suddenly Fairy realized that this was an- 
other occasion for registration, and with one 
of her loudest shrieks at the thought, she 
darted towards the house and disappeared 
through the front door. 

Leicester ! ” she cried, and then with a 
prolonged yell, ‘‘ Les — ter ! Liecester ap- 
peared by a jump through a window. 
“ What’s up ? ” he said. 

Oh, Less, there’s a new boarder, and she’s 
crazy, and she thinks we are, and she 
will want to register. Do get in the coop, 
quick ! ” 

Grasping the situation, Leicester flung him- 
self through the wicket door and behind the 
office desk. In a jiffy, he had assumed his 
clerkly air, and had opened the great register 
at the proper date. 

When Dorothy appeared, a moment later, 
with Miss Dillingham, Leicester offered the 
pen to the newcomer with such a businesslike 
air that there seemed really no further room 
to doubt the responsibility of the hotel man- 
agement. Then he rang a bell, and in a 
moment Mr. Hickox appeared, and with the 


298 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


deferential demeanor of a porter picked up 
Miss Dillingham’s suit-case and stick. 

Then Dorothy escorted the lady-tramp to 
her room, and returned a few moments later, 
to find the other children waiting for an ex- 
planation. 

“ Where did you catch it?” asked Leices- 
ter. 

What is it? ” inquired Lilian. 

“ It’s only for one night,” explained Doro- 
thy, laughing ; “ but. Less, she wants to run 
the hotel ! She thinks we aren’t responsible ! ” 
It really seemed inevitable, so Lilian started 
the Dorrance groan. The others took it up, 
with their usual enthusiasm, and though it 
was of late a forbidden indulgence, they let 
themselves go for once, and the result was an 
unearthly din that brought grandma to the 
scene at once. 

Children ! ” she exclaimed. You know 
you promised not to do that ! ” 

“ I know, grandma,” explained Fairy, but 
truly, this is a specialty occasion. You don’t 
know what’s happened, and what she wants 
to do.” 


AN UNWELCOME PEOPOSITION 299 

But before Mrs. Dorrance could learn what 
had happened, the newly-registered guest her- 
self, came flying down the staircase. 

“ What is the matter ? she cried ; “ is the 
house on fire ? Has anybody been killed ? 

^^We must 'pollergize. Miss Dillingham,’^ 
spoke up Fairy ; “ that’s our Dorrance groan, 
it belongs to the family ; we don’t use it much 
up here, ’cause it wakes up the baby and 
otherwise irritations the boarders.” 

I should think it would,” put in Miss 
Dillingham, with conviction. 

‘‘Yes, it does,” went on Fairy, agreeably ; 
“ and so you see, we don’t ’low ourselves to 
’spress our feelings that way very often. But 
to-day we had a purtickular reason for it, and 
so somehow we found ourselves a-groaning be- 
fore we knew it.” 

Ignoring Fairy and her voluble explana- 
tion, Miss Dillingham turned to Mrs. Dor- 
rance, and inquired with dignity : “ Are you 
the lady of the house ? ” 

“ I am the owner of the house,” said Grandma 
Dorrance, with her own gentle dignity, “ and 
my granddaughter Dorothy is in charge of it. 


300 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

I must ask you to forgive the disturbance the 
children just made, and I think I can safely 
assure you it will not happen again.” 

Grandma Dorrance looked at her grand- 
children, with an air of confidence that was 
responded to by a look of loving loyalty from 
each pair of laughing young eyes. 

“ I don’t understand it at all,” said Miss 
Dillingham ; but I will now return to my 
room, and take a short nap, if the house can 
be kept quiet. Then later, I have a proposi- 
tion which I wish to lay before you, and which 
will doubtless prove advantageous to all con- 
cerned.” 

Miss Dillingham stalked majestically up 
the stairs again, and the Dorrances consulted 
as to what she could mean by her extraordi- 
nary proposition. 

'' I know,” said Dorothy, she wants to run 
the hotel. She informed me that she was 
much better qualified for such a business than 
I am.” 

Oh, ho ! ” cried Leicester, she is, is she ! 
Well I like her nerve ! ” 

I wish she hadn’t come,” said Fairy, be- 


AN UNWIiLCOME PEOPOSITION 301 

ginning to cry. “ I don’t want her to run 
this hotel, and Dorothy and all of us only be 
just boarders.” 

Don’t cry, Fairy, whatever you do,” ex- 
claimed Leicester. If you put up one of 
your best crying-spells, it will make more 
noise than the groan did, and our new friend 
will come racing down-stairs again.” 

This suggestion silenced Fairy, and Leicester 
went on : “ Do you really mean. Dot, that she 
proposed seriously to take charge of the Do- 
main ? ” 

“Yes, she did; and I think she expects to 
make a business proposition to that effect.” 

“ All right, then ; let’s give her as good as 
she sends. Let’s pretend that we entertain 
her proposition, and see what she has to say 
for herself.” 

“ You’d better be careful,” said Lilian, the 
practical, “ sometimes people get caught in 
their own trap ; and if you pretend you’re 
going to let her have charge of affairs here, 
first thing you know she’ll be at the head of 
things, and we will all be nowhere.” 

“ Huh ! ” exclaimed Dorothy. “ I’m not 


302 THE DOERANCE DOMAIN 

afraid of being dethroned by any lady-tramp 
that happens along. Just let her try it ! ’’ 

“ However she might frighten us singly/^ 
said Leicester, “ I rather guess that the Dor- 
rance family as a whole, can stand up for their 
rights.’’ 

“ Don’t be foolish, children,” said grandma ; 

Dorothy must have misunderstood the lady. 
She couldn’t have meant to make such a 
strange proposition at a moment’s notice.” 

But apparently that is just what Miss 
Lucille Dillingham did mean. For that even- 
ing, after dinner, she gathered the Dorrance 
children round her in one of the small draw- 
ing-rooms, and talked to them in a straight- 
forward if unacceptable way. 

“ Now don’t say a word,” she said, until 
I have thoroughly explained my intention.” 

We won’t say a word, Miss Dillingham,” 
said Fairy, until you say your speech. But 
please say it plain, ’cause I’m the littlest one 
and sometimes I can’t understand big words. 
’Course I say big words myself, sometimes, but 
I understand my own, only other people’s 


AN UNWELCOME PEOPOSITION 303 

aren’t always tellergibble to me. And so, you 
see I just have to ” 

^‘That will do, Fairy,” interrupted Leices- 
ter ; we’ve agreed not to do our talking un- 
til Miss Dillingham is through.” 

“In a few words, then,” began Miss Dil- 
lingham, with the air of one who is satisfied 
of a foregone conclusion, “ I want to say that 
in the few hours I have been here I have 
thoroughly acquainted myself with the condi- 
tions and possibilities of this hotel. And I 
have discovered that it is improperly man- 
aged by incompetent hands, and that it is, 
therefore, a lucky stroke of fortune for you 
that I happened along just now. I propose to 
assume entire charge of the hotel, give it a 
new name, establish new methods of manage- 
ment, and control absolutely the receipts and 
expenditures.” 

If the four Dorrances hadn’t been possessed 
of a strong sense of humor, they would have 
been appalled by this extraordinary proposi- 
tion. As it was, it struck them all as being 
very funny, and though with difficulty re- 
straining a smile, Leicester inquired, with 


304 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

every appearance of serious interest, And 
where do we come in ? ” 

“ You will be merely boarders,’^ announced 
Miss Dillingham, “ and can run and play as 
befits children of your ages. It may seem 
strange to you at first, that I should make 
you this generous proposition on so short an 
acquaintance, but it is my habit to make quick 
decisions, and I rarely regret them.” 

Would you mind telling us your reasons 
for wanting to do this thing?” asked Lilian. 

“ My reasons are perhaps too subtle for 
young minds to understand. They are partly 
ethical, for I cannot make it seem right that 
a girl of sixteen should be so weighted with 
responsibility ; and, too, I am actuated in part 
by motives of personal advantage. I may say 
the project seems to possess a pecuniary inter- 
est for me ” 

Miss Dillingham,” said Fairy fixing her 
wide-open eyes on the lady’s face, “ ’sense me 
for interrupting, but truly I can’t understand 
all those words. What does etherkle mean ? 
and what is tercumerary ? They are nice 
words and I would like to save them to use 


AN UNWELCOME PEOPOSITION 305 

myself, if I knew a little bit what they 
meant.” 

“ Never mind what they mean, Fairy,” 
said Leicester ; and Miss Dillingham, it is 
not necessary for us to consider this matter 
any further. You have made your proposi- 
tion, and I am sure that I speak for the four 
of us, when I say that we decline it absolutely 
and without further discussion.” 

When Leicester chose, he could adopt a 
tone and manner that seemed far more like a 
man, than like a boy of his years ; and Miss 
Dillingham suddenly realized that she was 
not dealing with quite such childish minds as 
she had supposed. 

My brother is quite right,” said Dorothy, 
and she, too, put on her most grown-up man- 
ner, which, by the way, was very grown-up 
indeed. “ Although surprised at what you 
have said, we understand clearly your offer, 
and we respectfully but very positively decline 
it in toto^ 

As Dorothy confessed afterwards, she didn’t 
know exactly what in toto meant, but she felt 
quite certain it came in appropriately just there. 


306 


THE BOEEANCE DOMAIN 


Miss Dillingham seemed to think so to, or 
at any rate she was impressed by the attitude 
of the Dorrance young people, and without a 
further word, she rose and stalked away and 
they saw her no more that night. The next 
morning she was up early and after a some- 
what curt leave-taking, she tramped away. 

I think I could have liked her,^^ said 
Dorothy, thoughtfully, if she hadnT tried 
to steal away from us our Dorrance Domain. 


m 


CHAPTEE XXIV 


Dorothy's reward 

F airy continued her weekly visits to 
Mrs. Hickox, but she was positively for- 
bidden by her hostess ever to bring any 
one with her. 

Mrs. Hickox was possessed of a peculiar 
kind of shyness, and she shrank from meeting 
people more sophisticated than herself. She 
had become devotedly attached to Fairy, and 
really looked forward eagerly to the after- 
noons the child spent with her. She contin- 
ued to be surprised at the doings of the Dor- 
rances, but had never been to the Domain 
since her first call upon the family. 

Mr. Hickox tells me you've got a roof- 
garden," she said to Fairy one da^as they sat 
sociably in the milk-room. l^w for the 
land's sake do tell me what that is. Is it the 
thing that runs by electrics ? " 

“ No," said Fairy, who never laughed at 

307 


308 


THE DOEEAKCE DOMAIN 


Mrs. Hickox’s ignorance ; “ it’s the Shooting 
Star that runs by electricity ; the roof-garden 
doesn’t run at all, — it just stays still.” 

Well what is it, anyhow ? ” 

Why, the roof-garden is just a garden on 
the roof.” 

A garden on a roof! well I am surprised 1 
What do you raise in the garden ? peas and 
beans ? It must be an awful trouble to get the 
dirt up there, and to get the water up there to 
water things with. As for getting the pota- 
toes and pumpkins down, I suppose you can 
just throw them down, — though I must say I 
should think it would spoil the pumpkins.” 

Oh, we don’t raise vegetables in the roof- 
garden, Mrs. Hickox,” said Fairy, laughing in 
spite of herself. 

Well, what do you raise? ” 

Why we don’t raise anything ; we just stay 
there.” 

“ Humph I I can’t see any garden about 
that. But I did want to know what the thing 
was like. ’Cause I cut out a clipping yester- 
day, — Hickory, he got his shoes home from 
the cobbler’s, and they was wrapped in a 


DOEOTHY'S EEWAED 


309 


piece of a New York newspaper ; my, but I 
had a good time! I cut so many clip- 
pings out of that newspaper, that what’s left 
would do for a picture frame. The worst of 
it was, so many clippings backed up against 
others, and they wasn’t the same length. 
People ought to be more careful how they 
print their newspapers. Well, as I was saying, 
I cut out a piece about a roof-garden, but I 
guess you’re right about their not raisin’ 
things in it. My land I I couldn’t get head 
or tail to the whole yarn. So that’s why I 
wanted to ask you just what a roof-garden is. 
But I ain’t found out much.” 

Fairy endeavored to explain further, but 
Mrs. Hickox’s mind seemed incapable of grasp- 
ing the real intent of a roof-garden, after all ; 
and so after intimating her continued surprise, 
she changed the subject. 

Mrs. Hickox was the only one who could 
sustain the greater part in a conversation with 
Fairy. For some reason the child liked the 
queer old lady, and was contented to listen 
while she talked ; though usually Fairy’s own 
loquacity was not so easily curbed. 


310 THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 

“ I told Hickory, long ago, that that biggest 
sister of yours would set Lake Ponetcong on 
fire yet ; or he told me, I don’t know which, 
and it don’t make no difference now ; but, 
anyway, I’m free to confess she’s done it. To 
think of a girl of sixteen takin’ a pack of 
boarders into that big hotel, and makin’ a 
success of it ! It is surprisin’ ! and she does 
everything up so slick, too. Why, Hickory 
says the meals is always on time, and the 
whole place is always as neat and cleared-up 
lookin’ as my best room.” 

“ My sister Dorothy is a smart girl,” agreed 
Fairy, who was always ready to stand up for 
her family ; “ Mr. Faulkner says she has great 
’zecutive billerty, — and I guess she has.” 

“ You all have,” said Mrs. Hickox, heartily. 
“ You’re as queer as Dick’s hatband, — every 
one of you, — but you’re smarter ’n steel-traps. 
And the rest of you work just as good as 
Dorothy does. You ain’t none of you shirks. 
Of course you have lots of help, but I s’pose 
you need it. Hickory, he does a lot of work 
for you, but, land ! he gets paid enough, so 
it’s all right.” 


DOEOTHY’S EEWAED 


311 


“ Wouldn’t you like to come over and see 
the roof-garden ? ” asked Fairy, though with- 
out much hope that her invitation would be 
accepted. 

“ No, child, no ; I ain’t got no use for new- 
fangled doin’s. My old-fashioned garden is 
good enough for me. I like to read about 
things in newspapers, but I don’t hanker 
none about being mixed up in ’em. Run 
along now, here comes Mr. Hickox and he’ll 
be wantin’ his supper. Run along, quick 
now, — good-bye. Well I am surprised ! ” 

The last remark was addressed to the ap- 
proaching Mr. Hickox, but having been so 
peremptorily dismissed. Fairy did not turn to 
see what the new occasion for Mrs. Hickox’s 
surprise might be. 

The month of August went pleasantly 
along at the Dorrance Domain. No new 
boarders were registered, but all who were 
there, stayed through the month, and all ex- 
cept the Blacks stayed into the early Septem- 
ber. The Dorrances had given up all idea of 
Mr. Lloyd’s coming to visit them, as he had 
written earlier in the season that he would do. 


312 


THE DOEEANOE DOMAIN 


But one day a letter came, saying that he 
would run up for a couple of days. 

Aside from their appreciation of Mr. Lloyd’s 
kindness in a business way, the Dorrances all 
liked that genial gentleman as a friend, and 
the news of his visit was gladly received. 
The Dorrance Domain was put into gala dress 
for the occasion, and a special program was 
arranged for the evening’s entertainment. 

He was taken for a sail in the Shooting Star, 
given a drive behind old Dobbin, and initiated 
into the picturesque pleasures of the roof- 
garden. 

Mr. Lloyd was most appreciative and en- 
thusiastic ; and it was fun for the Dorrances 
to see his astonishment at the success of their 
hotel management. Although Grandma Dor- 
rance had written to him what the children 
were doing, in a general way, he had formed 
no idea of the magnitude of their enterprise. 

The second day of his stay they held a 
family conference in one of the small parlors. 
He had told Grandma Dorrance that he 
wished for a business talk with her alone, but 
she had said that the children were quite as 


DOEOTHY’S EEWAED 


313 


capable of understanding their financial situ- 
ation as she herself, if not more so ; and that, 
after their interest and assistance through the 
summer, they were entitled to a hearing of 
whatever Mr. Lloyd might have to say. 

So the family conclave was called, and Mr. 
Lloyd took the occasion to express his hearty 
appreciation of what they had done. 

You seem to have the Dorrance grit,^’ he 
said ; your Grandfather Dorrance would have 
been proud of his grandchildren, could he have 
known what they would accomplish. He little 
thought when he bought this hotel property 
that his family would ever live here, — let alone 
running it as a hotel.’’ 

It seems so strange,” said Dorothy, “ to 
think that this old Domain that we’ve made 
fun of for so many years, and never thought 
was good for anything, should have helped us 
through this summer.” 

“ I hope, my dear,” said Mr. Lloyd, “ that 
you have been careful and prudent about your 
expenditures. For sometimes, these exciting 
enterprises look very fine and desirable, but 
are exceedingly costly in the end.” 


314 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


Mr. Lloyd was a kind friend, and felt great 
interest in the Dorrance fortunes ; but his 
cautious, legal mind, could not avoid a care- 
ful consideration of the exact state of their 
finances. 

“ We have kept our accounts very strictly, 
sir,” said Dorothy, “ and we find that the 
Dorrance Domain has entirely supported our 
family for the summer, — I mean that we are 
in debt to nobody as a consequence of having 
spent our summer here.” 

That is fine, my dear child, that is fine,” 
said Mr. Lloyd, rubbing his hands together, as 
he always did when pleased ; “ I must con- 
gratulate you on that result.” 

And weVe had such fun, too,” exclaimed 
Fairy, whose big white bow and smiling face 
suddenly appeared over the back of the sofa 
which she was clambering up. I do some 
of the work, but I don’t mind it a bit, and we 
all of us get plenty of time to play, and go 
sailing, and fishing and everything,” As 
Fairy continued talking she kept rapidly 
scrambling over the sofa, down to the floor, 
under the sofa, and up its back, and over it 


DOEOTHY’S EEWAED 


315 


again, repeatedly. This in no way interfered 
with her flow of conversation, and she went 
on : “We can make all the racket we like, 
too, — nobody minds a speck, — not even Miss 
Marcia Van Arsdale. She says it’s nothing 
but animal spiritualism.” 

“ It has been one of the greatest comforts,” 
said Grandma Dorrance, “ to think that the 
children could make all the noise they wanted 
to ; for I suffered tortures at Mrs. Cooper’s, trying 
to keep them quiet. Here, they are free to do 
as they choose, and there is room enough to do 
as they choose, without annoying other people. 
I think myself, that they deserve great com- 
mendation for their work this summer. It 
has not been easy ; but fortunately, they are 
blessed with temperaments that take troubles 
lightly, and make play out of hard work. 
But I want you to tell us, Mr. Lloyd, just how 
we stand financially. The children are anx- 
ious to know, and so am I. They insist that 
hereafter they shall share my anxieties and 
responsibilities, and I am more than glad to 
have them do so.” 

“ I am gratified, Mrs. Dorrance, and my 


316 THE DOREANCE DOMAIN 

dear young people, to be able to tell you,” — 
here Mr. Lloyd paused impressively, — “ to be 
able to tell you that the outlook is highly 
satisfactory. Since you have not called upon 
me for any of your money during the summer 
months, I have been able to apply it towards 
the repairs that were so necessary on the 
Fifty-eighth Street house. Except for a few 
small bills, that indebtedness is thus provided 
for. Your next quarter’s allowance is, there- 
fore, unencumbered.” 

“ I think,” said Dorothy, her eyes shining 
in the excitement of the moment, that this 
is a good time to present our statement of ac- 
counts. We’ve been keeping it as a little sur- 
prise for grandma, and we want Mr. Lloyd to 
know about it too. I wanted Leicester to tell 
you, and he said for me to tell you ; but we 
all had just as much to do with it as each 
other, so we’re all going to tell you together. 
Come on, all of you.” 

The other three Dorrances sprang towards 
Dorothy in their usual hop-skip-and-jump 
fashion, and in a moment they stood in a 
straight line, toeing a mark. 


DOEOTHY’S EEWAED 


317 


They took hold of hands, and swinging 
their arms back and forth, recited a speech 
which had evidently been rehearsed before- 
hand. 

<< WeVe paid all expenses,’^ they said, speak- 
ing in concert, but not as loudly as usual, 
and besides that, weVe cleared three hun- 
dred dollars ! 

What ! ’’ exclaimed Mr. Lloyd, holding up 
his hands in astonishment. 

Oh, my dear children ! ” cried Grandma 
Dorrance, uncertain whether she should laugh 
or weep. 

Yes, isn’t it perfectly wonderful ?” cried 
Dorothy, and the concerted speech being over, 
the four children precipitated themselves head- 
long in every direction. 

We wanted to holler it all out,” explained 
Fairy ; but we were afraid the boarder-people 
would hear us, and they mightn’t think it 
polite.” 

It’s all right,” said Lilian, stoutly ; we 
didn’t overcharge ^ anybody, and we didn’t 
scrimp them. The reason we made money 
was because we did so much of the work our- 


318 


THE DOEEANCE DOMAIN 


selves, and because Dorothy is such a good 
manager/'^ 

Hurrah for Dorothy/^ shrieked Leicester, 
in a perfect imitation of Miss Marcia^s parrot. 

The cheer that went up for Dorothy was 
deafening, but nobody minded, for everybody 
was so happy. 

I couldn’t have done anything without 
the others’ help,” protested Dorothy ; and of 
course we couldn’t any of us have carried out 
this plan at all, without grandma. So you see 
it took the whole five of us to make a success 
of the Dorrance Domain.” 

Hurrah for the Dorrance Domain,” shouted 
Fairy, and then every one in the room, not ex- 
cepting Grandma Dorrance and Mr. Lloyd^ 
cheered from their very hearts. 

Hurrah for the Dorrance Domain ! ” 











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